Life can sometimes feel heavy, and it’s easy to sink into feelings of self-pity. These moments often leave us yearning for comfort or a touch of wisdom to help us rise above. Self-pity, though natural, can be paralyzing if left unchecked.
In this article, we’ve compiled the best quotes about self-pity. Each quote offers a unique perspective that can help you shift your mindset and find strength. Let these words serve as gentle reminders of resilience and hope.
Classic Self Pity Quotes
“Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.”
“Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for yourself. Take responsibility for your life and move forward.”
“Sometimes you just need a good cry. Even if you’re a big strong man.”
“No amount of self-pity can change the past, but it can ruin the future.”
“You can’t afford self-pity. If you try to do that, you’re dead.”
“Self-pity in its early stage is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.”
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure, and separates the victim from reality.”
“The minute you start feeling sorry for yourself, you lose. Take control of your emotions and your attitude.”
“Self-pity is the one sin we can commit that will ensure no redemption.”
“Self-pity is spiritual suicide. It is an indefensible self-mutilation of the soul.”
“Nothing helps a bad mood like spreading it around.”
“Self-pity is the greatest obstacle to true peace. It paves the way for perpetual sorrow.”
“Self-pity is an acid which eats holes in happiness.”
“Self-pity saps the soul of vitality and blinds one to the beauty of life.”
“To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”
“Wallowing in self-pity is a luxury we can’t afford.”
“Self-pity is like a leech that slowly drains away your will to live.”
“There is no room for self-pity in the heart of a warrior.”
“Self-pity grows in the absence of gratitude and courage.”
“Every time you feel yourself being pulled into other people’s drama, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.”
“Dwelling in self-pity produces a legacy of sorrow.”
“One must never allow oneself to be overwhelmed by self-pity.”
“You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”
“Self-pity is… a form of suicide.”
Modern Views on Self Pity Quotes
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure, and separates the victim from reality.”
“The only thing more dangerous than self-pity is indulging in it.”
“Sometimes it’s easy to slip into self-pity, but it never brings you anywhere worthwhile.”
“Self-pity is our worst enemy, and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.”
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself and you will be happy.”
“Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.”
“The price of your self-pity is the destruction of everything around you.”
“Self-pity is an opiate.”
“Self-pity is like a leech that drains your vitality and hope.”
“The quicker you let go of self-pity, the faster you will find your true self.”
“Don’t waste your time on self-pity. If it doesn’t help, it’s harming you.”
“Self-pity is spiritual suicide. It is an indefensible self-mutilation of the soul.”
“It’s not self-pity, it’s self-compassion. But there’s a fine line between the two.”
“Self-pity is a sinkhole where all dreams perish.”
“Indulging in self-pity doesn’t solve problems, it multiplies them.”
“Each tear of self-pity is a step away from joy.”
“Self-pity is the silent thief that whispers ‘you can’t’ even when you can.”
“Self-pity is a luxury we can ill afford.”
“Self-pity is a black hole that devours everything but gives nothing back.”
“Self-pity gets you stuck; self-acceptance sets you free.”
“Self-pity is an invitation to more suffering.”
“You drown not by falling in the river, but by staying submerged in self-pity.”
“When you wallow in self-pity, you wade in a swamp of despair.”
“Self-pity doesn’t build bridges; it burns them.”
“Self-pity is the enemy of joy. It robs you of the present and stains the future.”
Celebrity Insights on Self Pity Quotes
“Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.”
“What you plant in your mind will grow there. Be careful what you don’t water.”
“Beware of self-pity. It will destroy you.”
“Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.”
“Self-pity is like a leech. It will drain you of energy and reduce your motivation to find solutions.”
“You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
“People who throw kisses are hopelessly lazy.”
“Beneath the armor of skin and bone and mind most of our colors are amazingly the same.”
“Every weakness contains within itself a strength.”
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.”
“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.”
“Don’t measure your life by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.”
“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.”
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.”
“You can’t be pitiful and powerful. Decide today which one you want to be.”
“The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”
“Self-pity is the acid that stagnates the soul.”
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
“Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.”
“It is when we are in transition that we are most completely alive.”
“When you pity yourself, life pities you too.”
“Self-pity is the mud that obscures our path to clarity and strength.”
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
Philosophical Self Pity Quotes
“Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.”
“To pity oneself is no less than to suffer defeat; once you fall into self-pity, you’re enveloped by dark clouds that hinder the sunlight of hope.”
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure, and separates the victim from reality.”
“Self-pity is spiritual suicide. It is an indefensible self-mutilation of the soul.”
“While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil.”
“Self-pity is like a labyrinth, the deeper you go, the easier it is to get lost from within.”
“The natural impulse in the face of adversity is self-pity – but the transcendental impulse is to rise above it.”
“Self-pity is the acid that slowly eats away the essence of the soul.”
“People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim.”
“Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.”
“Self-pity is never useful. It tends to distort like a funhouse mirror.”
“Pity and self-pity are two sides of the same coin, but a coin that buys nothing worthwhile.”
“To cure the soul by means of the senses, and the senses by means of the soul.”
“Grief is the price we pay for love. But self-pity is a luxury we cannot afford.”
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
“Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.”
“Sorrow comes in great waves… but rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it leaves us on the spot and we know that if it is strong, we are stronger, inasmuch as it passes and we remain.”
“Anyone who has actually been that sad can tell you that there’s nothing beautiful or literary or mysterious about depression.”
“Get rid of self-pity; it won’t help you get back on your feet.”
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
“When we pity ourselves, we see the world through a distorted lens – one that makes mountains out of molehills and heroes out of villains.”
“Self-pity is the mud that prevents us from seeing the stars.”
“To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.”
Overcoming Self Pity Through Quotes
“Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.”
“When you do not have control over your emotions, self-pity becomes your master.”
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself and you will be happy.”
“You can’t wallow in self-pity. You have to be assertive in life.”
“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure combined with self-pity.”
“Nobody’s going to do your inner work for you. Overcome your self-pity with self-love.”
“Self-pity is spiritual suicide. It is an indefensible self-mutilation of the soul.”
“It’s not that self-pity is wrong: it’s that self-pity will only perpetuate your suffering.”
“Don’t drown in self-pity; it only makes you sink further.”
“Self-pity is the key to misery; gratitude unlocks the door to happiness.”
“The cure to self-pity is finding something meaningful to do and doing it.”
“Self-pity is a refusal to accept beauty in the world.”
“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory instead of the despondence of pity.”
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.”
“Turn your wounds into wisdom and reject self-pity.”
“No one is perfect. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start improving yourself.”
“Self-pity weakens the heart and strains the spirit.”
“The first step in overcoming self-pity is to embrace the beauty of who you are.”
“No one can take your power away unless you give it to them through self-pity.”
“Self-pity is a vice that robs you of your strength and will.”
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”
“Self-pity is a luxury that no one can afford.”
“Empower yourself by letting go of self-pity and embracing your inner warrior.”
“Chin up, darling. We are all made of stardust, so don’t let self-pity dim your light.”
“Change the narrative of your life by banishing self-pity and writing a story of resilience.”
Last Words
Ending on a note of reflection, these self-pity quotes remind us that we all face tough times. Feeling down is part of being human, but it’s important not to stay in that state. Quotes can help shift our perspective, even if just a little.
Hopefully, these words offer some comfort or a different way to look at your situation. Sometimes, all it takes is a single phrase to spark a bit of hope. Let these quotes be a stepping stone to moving forward and finding strength within yourself.