Quotes on not pleasing everyone

67 People Pleaser Quotes To Stop Pleasing Everyone

Looking for inspirational quotes about people pleasing? We have rounded up the best collection of people pleaser quotes, sayings, captions, and status, (with images and pictures) to break free from your people pleasing ways and start giving importance to yourself.

Who is called a people pleaser?

A people pleaser is someone who everyone considers kind and helpful. They usually don’t say ‘no’ to anyone for any work. Such people have a lot of empathy for others and care deeply about everyone around them. In this process, they neglect their own wants and needs. Such approval-seeking behavior comes in the way of their own well-being.

Being generous and accommodating the needs of others to make them happy is a good thing but sometimes pleasing others can be exhausting.

Related: Taken for Granted Quotes

You tend to lose your sense of self and you start neglecting yourself because you fear disappointing others when they ask for your help. People usually take such people for granted and take advantage of them.

In the process of pleasing others, you might lose sight of who you are. Continuous people-pleasing behavior may lead to a lack of self-care, it may lead you to get frustrated and make passive-aggressive comments, and it can stop you from enjoying yourself as you are under the stress of always pleasing others.

Sometimes it is also believed that people-pleasers are generally not pleasing others out of the goodness of their own heart. That’s why “people-pleaser” has its famously negative connotation. People-pleasers do things to obtain the validation and approval of others.

They find it difficult to confront people and say “NO” to them. Though the intentions of a people pleaser isn’t bad but, at times people might take advantage of your goodness.

These motivational quotes are divided into these sections;

People Pleaser Quotes
People Pleasing Quotes
Quotes About People Pleasing

These uplifiting and positive quotes about people pleasing will encourage you to help others but not at the cost of your own well-being.

If you like these deep pleasing others quotes then check our collection of happiness quotes that can help you to feel motivated and set boundaries.

Famous People Pleaser Quotes

“If you try to please all, you please none.” – Aesop
people pleaser quotes
“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu
people pleasing quotes
“If you are busy pleasing everyone, you are not being true to yourself.” – Jocelyn Murray
quotes about people pleasing
“When you say yes to others, make sure you aren’t saying no to yourself. ” – Paulo Coehlo
stop pleasing quotes
“Stress, anxiety and depression are caused when we are living to please others.” – Paulo Coelho
“I can’t tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” – Ed Sheeran
quotes about pleasing others
“The deepest pain I ever felt was denying my own feelings to make everyone else comfortable.” – Nicole Lyons
“Do yourself a favor; don’t wear yourself out trying to please everybody. Your time is too valuable.” – Joel Osteen
quotes about not pleasing everyone
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do. ” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Pleasing everybody is never a responsibility. If they like you for who you are, good. If not, it’s their problem not yours.” – Unknown
“When you engage in people pleasing you are out of integrity with yourself, your goals, your dreams, and your life’s mission.” – Eileen Anglin
“I’m done living for other people. I’m done being a people pleaser. I’m done thinking about what people think about me.” – Shailene Woodley
“The only thing wrong with trying to please everyone is that there’s always at least one person who will remain unhappy. You.” – Elizabeth Parker
“If you’re trying to please everyone, then you’re not going to make anything that is honestly yours, I don’t think, in the long run.” – Viggo Mortensen
“The man who seeks to please God is the man who people are pleased with. The man who seeks to please others won’t satisfy anyone.” – Edwin Louis Cole
“There’s something very addictive about people pleasing. It’s a thought pattern and a habit that feels really, really good until it becomes desperate.” – Anne Hathaway
“When you stop living your life based on what others think of you real life begins. At that moment, you will finally see the door of self-acceptance opened.” – Shannon L. Alder
“When you are a people pleaser, you put others needs first before your own, sometimes at the expense of your own health and well-being. It is often linked to our own sense of self-worth.” – Unknown
“There’s a fine line between helping others and being a people pleaser, and mistaking one for the other can be hugely detrimental. When we put others’ needs before our own, we deplete our energy, which can lead to depression, physical illness, and overwhelm. ” – Gabrielle Bernstein
“People pleasing and putting others first literally diminished my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. Overwhelmingly, most emotionally wounded people demonstrate this trait. Many of us have been programmed to put others first; to be of service to others before we serve ourselves.” – Christopher Dines

Top People Pleasing Quotes

If you don’t know whether you are a people pleaser or not, then here are some signs that might help you to understand this better.

Some signs of being a people pleaser include: People pleaser’s mostly agree with everyone, they make themselves responsible and blame themselves for the responses of others, they are not able to say no to others, and people pleasers try to avoid conflict, even if they have to change as a person for that.

If you like these inspirational thoughts and meaningful people pleasing quotes then check our collection of life quotes and sad quotes to express your emptiness and pain in love, life, relationship, friendship and more.

“If you live for people’s acceptance, you will die from their rejection.” – Lecrae Moore
People Pleaser quotes images
“If you are busy pleasing everyone, you are not being true to yourself.” – Jocelyn Murray
people pleaser quote
“Stop asking why they keep doing it and start asking why you keep allowing it.” – Unknown
“Don’t be a people pleaser… be a self pleaser… it’s not ego… it’s called self-respect.” – Preeta Gupta
“Your time is way too valuable to be wasting on people that can’t accept who you are.” – Turcois Ominek
“Never seek to please anyone. Seek to evolve thyself.” – Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind
“I can only please one person per day. Today isn’t your day. Tomorrow doesn’t look good either.” – Unknown
“Don’t be afraid of losing people. Be afraid of losing yourself by trying to please everyone around you.” – Unknown
“Don’t change to please people. If they can’t accept you for who you are, you don’t need them in your life.” – Unknown
“Pleasing everybody is never a responsibility. If they like you for who you are, good. If not, it’s their problem not yours.” – Unknown
“The only thing wrong with trying to please everyone is that there is always at least one person who will remain unhappy. You.” – Elizabeth Parker
“The man who seeks to please God is the man who people are pleased with. The man who seeks to please others won’t satisfy anyone. ” – Edwin Louis Cole
“‘No’ might make them angry, but it will make you free. If no one has ever told you, your freedom is more important than their anger.” – Nayyirah Waheed
“The truth is, you’re never going to be able to please everybody, so stop trying. Remember, the sun is going to continue shining even if some people get annoyed by its light shining in their eyes. You have full permission to shine on.” – Unknown
“The people pleaser: Someone who neglects their own needs for other people’s comfort and has a hard time setting boundaries (i.e. saying no when they feel overwhelmed). This person tends to avoid conflict at all costs and spends a lot of time trying to be appreciated and liked by everyone around them.” – Unknown

Best Quotes About People Pleasing

Being too nice and being always there for others is a virtue but only when we use this in balance. When we are there for others, we need to also keep in mind to be do justice to ourself.

So don’t seek validation of others. And don’t try to make everyone happy. Do what is right and stop pleasing everyone around you. And at times it can be dangerous when you are too gullible for others to take advantage of you.

To find your own happiness it is important to leave your people-pleasing ways and stop being the nice guy at the expense of yourself.

If you like these if you try to please everyone quotes and tired of pleasing everyone quotes then check our collection of believe in yourself quotes and self love quotes to inspire you to value yourself on a priority basis.

“Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.” – Unknown
“I gotta stop treating people like I owe them something.” – Tupac Shakur
learn to say no quotes
“Don’t be a people pleaser. Trust your instincts.” – Salome Mumba
“Your biggest commitment must always be to yourself.” – Bridgett Devoue
“We cannot please all men but we can be a blessing to many.” – Mac Canoza
“Niceness is the psychological armor of the people-pleaser.” – Harriet B. Braiker
“I’m tired of trying to please everyone when I can’t even please myself.” – Unknown
done people pleaser quotes
“You’re not really free until you’re free from trying to please everybody.” – Joel Osteen
Quotes about People pleaser
“All I can do is follow my instincts, because I’ll never please everyone. ” – Emma Watson
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle
“I’m generally a people-pleaser so I get high anxiety from any sort of confrontation.” – Rose Byrne
“The deepest pain I ever felt was denying my own feelings to make everyone else comfortable.” – Nicole Lyons
“Sometimes you aren’t listening to your body because you’re listening to everybody else’s expectations.” – Ann Voskamp
“Sometimes you don’t realize you are actually drowning when you are trying to be everyone else’s anchor.” – Unknown
“You must stop pleasing others because those other people literally have no idea who you ARE.” – Julie Lythcott-Haims
“There comes a time when you have to stop crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t even jump puddles for you. ” – Unknown
“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” – Shannon L. Alder
“The only reason people take you for granted is because they assume you’ll always be there. Prove them wrong.” – Unknown
“Let your light shine today, and let your personality blossom, too. You don’t have to be a people-pleaser, just a people-lover.” – Beth Moore
“I’m done living for other people. I’m done being a people pleaser. I’m done thinking about what people think about me.” – Shailene Woodley
“Don’t feel bad for making decisions that hurt other people. You’re not responsible for their happiness, you are responsible for yours.” – Unknown
“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure – which is: Try to please everybody. ” – Herbert Bayard Swope
“I’m a people pleaser. I hold a lot of things in. I’m always making sure everybody is okay. I usually don’t rage; I usually don’t curse.” – Beyonce Knowles
“We need to create a new revolution, and to do that, don’t waste your life: stop pleasing people, and become who you always wanted to be.” – Paulo Coelho
“While being you and truly sharing what you do will bring happiness to others, you won’t find contentment merely trying to keep others happy.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru
“Important reminders for a people pleaser: Someone else’s thoughts and desires do not require a change in your own beliefs or another item on your to-do list.” – Unknown
“I’m definitely a people pleaser. I like people to be happy around me and be comfortable. I go out of my way, sometimes to a fault, to make sure everyone is okay. ” – Ken Jeong
“You will never gain anyone’s approval by begging for it. When you stand confident in your own worth, respect follows.” – Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass
“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” – Jim Carrey
“As much as I don’t want to admit it, I really am a people pleaser. If I throw a party at my house, it’s hard for me to relax. I’m too obsessed with whether everyone’s having a good time.” – Rachael Harris
“You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Trying to please everybody is impossible – if you did that, you’d end up in the middle with nobody liking you. You’ve got to make the decision about what you think is your best, and do it.” – John Lennon

These famous quotes about people pleaser also cover the danger of being a people-pleaser quotes, tired of pleasing everyone quotes, pleasing yourself quotes, can’t impress everyone quotes, and how to stop being a people pleaser quotes.

If you are motivated with these wise words of wisdom, feel free to share it with friends and family on Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, and more.

If we have missed some quotes, share it with us in the comment section below and we shall be happy to add it to the list.

57 People Pleaser Quotes: Stop Trying to Make People Happy

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Trying to keep everyone happy while maintaining your sanity can be a difficult line to balance.

People pleasers can get a bad rep but it often comes from a good place, so, if you’ve ever been told that you bend over backwards to accommodate your family, coworkers, and friends and you’re wondering if that’s a “problem” to solve then this post is for you.

However, before we get onto the quotes, let's establish a bit of context and understand what a “people pleaser” really is.

Table of Contents

Why Read People Pleaser Quotes?

It may seem obvious, but a people pleaser is someone who works too hard to keep everyone around them happy. While this may not seem so bad, the motivation for this behaviour is usually not so great for your happiness in the long term and not to mention your long-term health.

I sometimes think people pleasers get a bit of an unfair reputation. Going out of your way to keep people happy and going above and beyond for those that you care about are fantastic personal qualities and traits to have.

The primary issue is that these helpful traits are easily exploitable. Unfortunately, a whole chunk of humans (especially the narcissistic types among us) do not respect people whom they see as easy to use.

The other issue is that in going out of your way to please others you’re usually hurting yourself. Why? It could be due to trying to avoid a conflict, or it could be because of misplaced loyalty. Whatever the reason, it’s going to take some introspection to discover why you’re a people pleaser.

These people-pleaser quotes are here to help you see how your behaviour can harm you in the long term. If you’re looking for answers about people pleasers, then that’s a subconscious signal that you know something is out of place.

57 People Pleaser Quotes: Stop Trying to Make People Happy

1. “Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” – Lao Tzu

2. “People pleasing pleases everyone but the pleaser.” – Sanjo Jendayi

3. “Sometimes you don’t realize you are actually drowning when you are trying to be everyone else’s anchor.” – Anonymous

4. “I feel joy when I do a great show. I get fun out of making other people happy. I'm a terminal people-pleaser. I suppose that's why I'm a frontman.” – Ozzy Osbourne

5. “Trying to please everybody is impossible – if you did that, you’d end up in the middle with nobody liking you. You’ve got to make the decision about what you think is your best, and do it.” – John Lennon

6. “If you are busy pleasing everyone, you are not being true to yourself” – Jocelyn Murray

7. “Be wary of the praise of men; don't let it pump you up unnecessarily and don't let it paralyze your progress” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

8. “You are not designed for everyone to like you.” – Anonymous

9. “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time. ” – Abraham Lincoln

10. “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle

11. “We cannot please all men but we can be a blessing to many.” – Mac Canoza

12. “Never seek to please anyone. Seek to evolve thyself.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

13. “For 25 years, I did take my responsibilities as a pleaser of others sufficiently seriously.” – Joyce Maynard

14. “If you’re trying to please everyone, then you’re not going to make anything that is honestly yours, I don’t think, in the long run.”- Viggo Mortensen

15. “They try to please others, give to others, and care for others in a desperate hope that they may make themselves worthy.” – Beverly Engel

16. “Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?” – Brigham Young

17. “If I were surrounded by people who always approved of me, I wouldn’t need such a deep relationship with my own sense of right and wrong. ” – Vironika Tugaleva

18. “As much as I don’t want to admit it, I really am a people pleaser. If I throw a party at my house, it’s hard for me to relax. I’m too obsessed with whether everyone’s having a good time.” – Rachael Harris

19. “While being you and truly sharing what you do will bring happiness to others, you won’t find contentment merely trying to keep others happy.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru

20. “Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.” – Anonymous

21. “If you try to please all, you please none.” – Aesop

22. “People-pleasers feel they must constantly be performing acts of service to others to gain acceptance. That requires a lot of work, effort, and energy. From the book: Removing Your Shame Label.” – Eddie Capparucci

23. “I gotta stop treating people like I owe them something.” – Tupac

24. “Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” – Jim Carrey

25. “If you are busy pleasing everyone, you are not being true to yourself” – Jocelyn Murray

26. “Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu

27. “If they were there for you when you had nothing, they are the ones worth having now. If they only notice you because of what you have gained, are they worth having at all?” – Donna Lynn Hope

28. “Your time is way too valuable to be wasting on people that can’t accept who you are.” – Turcois Ominek

29. “You will never gain anyone’s approval by begging for it. When you stand confident in your own worth, respect follows.” – Mandy Hale

30. “Don’t worry if people think you’re crazy. You are crazy. You have that kind of intoxicating insanity that lets other people dream outside of the lines and become who they’re destined to be.” – Jennifer Elisabeth

Don’t worry if people think you’re crazy. You are crazy. You have that kind of intoxicating insanity that lets other people dream outside of the lines and become who they’re destined to be.” – Jennifer Elisabeth

31. “When you say yes to others, make sure you arent saying no to yourself.” – Paulo Coehlo

32. “The biggest mistake we commit in life is to think that others will get affected by our action and we shall leave some effect on them.. In this hope, we make others' reactions our priority and fail to perform the task we're supposed to do right at the moment.” – Himmilicious

33. “You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

34. “Important reminders for a people pleaser: Someone else’s thoughts and desires do not require a change in your own beliefs or another item on your to-do list.” – Unknown

35. “To be truly positive in the eyes of some, you have to risk appearing negative in the eyes of others. ” – Criss Jami

36. “I can't tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” – Ed Sheeran

37. “If you find yourself craving approval, you are low on self-love. Stop grasping for a few scraps wherever you can. Go home and make yourself a feast. Love yourself deeply today.” – Vironika Tugaleva

38. “Don’t be a people pleaser. Trust your instincts.” – Salome Mumba

39. “I’m done living for other people. I’m done being a people pleaser. I’m done thinking about what people think about me.” – Shailene Woodley

40. “Self-Care is giving the world the best of you, not the rest of you.” – Katie Reed

41. “What’s important to me is not others’ opinions of me, but what’s important to me is my opinion of myself.” – C. JoyBell C

42. “One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” – Shannon L. Alder

43. “People pleasing doesn't allow you to receive.” – Abiola Abrams

44. “The surest way to lose your self-worth is by trying to find it through the eyes of others.” – Becca Lee

45. “The deepest pain I ever felt was denying my own feelings to make everyone else comfortable.” – Nicole Lyons

46. “Nothing too good can come out from people always agreeing with you.” – Omar Cherif

47. “You must stop pleasing others because those other people literally have no idea who you ARE.” – Julie Lythcott-Haims

48. “I'm a big people pleaser; I had a very awkward adolescence. Part of me is still that person who wants everyone to like me.” – Alissa Nutting

49. “I can't help it. I want everybody to love me and it hurts so when anybody doesn't.” – L.M. Montgomery

50. “I surrendered myself to the cages of others' expectations, cultural mandates and institutional allegiances. Until I buried who I was in order to become what I should be. I lost myself when I learned how to please.” – Glennon Doyle

51. “Sometimes you aren’t listening to your body because you’re listening to everybody else’s expectations.” – Ann Voskamp

52. “I used to be a major people pleaser, but that way purgatory lies.” – Tracie Bennett

53. “Niceness is the psychological armor of the people-pleaser.” – Harriet B. Braiker

54. “Let your light shine today, and let your personality blossom, too. You don't have to be a people-pleaser, just a people-lover.” – Beth Moore

55. “The only thing wrong with trying to please everyone is that there is always at least one person who will remain unhappy. You.” – Elizabeth Parker

56. “As women, we have more of a tendency to be people-pleasers, and I know a lot of women who are not vocal about what makes them happy.” – Katherine Heigl

57. “Both of my marriages have taught me the same lesson twice over really harsh: listen to your instincts. Don't be a people pleaser.” – Drew Barrymore

Final Thoughts on People Pleaser Quotes

That brings us to the end of our compilation. These quotes will help you understand how your people-pleasing ways are negatively impacting your mental and physical health. The balance between staying true to yourself and compromising is a hard one to walk, it takes time and wisdom to develop your boundaries.

In the meantime, check out these 11 steps to be emotionally independent from others. The first step is to become more sure of yourself and de-couple yourself from needing their approval.

And if you want more eye-opening quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:

67 Priority Quotes on How to Identify What’s Truly Important
57 Fake Family Quotes to Cope with Two-Faced Relatives
105 Know Your Worth Quotes to Increase Self-Value

Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.

Tom Smith is a creative writer with over 6 years of professional experience. He discovered the joy of writing after covering some furniture in his childhood home with graffiti. In later years, he got himself a BA in creative writing and hasn’t looked back. After discovering the power of positive thinking and discovering the spiritual side of life, he believes it's a huge privilege to be able to write about all things personal development.

Ian Somerhalder Quote: You can't please everyone, don't even try. The main thing is to do what …

— Ian Somerhalder

Last updated August 23, 2022

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Ian Somerhalder

22 1978

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