If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist (or you have been), you know it can be difficult to break free.
It’s even more difficult to heal from the effects of their behavior toward you.
But it’s not impossible. And it begins with recognizing narcissism for what it is. What better way to illustrate it than with quotes that describe narcissism or are inspired by it.
31 Narcissistic Quotes That Are Spot-On
Look through the following lists of toxic narcissistic quotes to better understand what you’re dealing with — or healing from.
Dealing with the Abuse
Some of what you’ll read here are shallow or manipulative narcissistic quotes.
Others are quotes by those who’ve survived a relationship with a narcissist and are sharing what they’ve learned. Read them carefully and think about what you’ve been through yourself.
“Nobody can be kinder than the narcissist while you react to life on his terms.” — Elizabeth Bowen
“Withhold admiration from a narcissist and be disliked. Give it and be treated with indifference.” — Mason Cooley
“The lion is most handsome when looking for food.” — Rumi
“Beware of narcissistic people. They'll tell everyone you're crazy, only to cover up their trickery. ” ― Mitta Xinindlu
“There’s a reason narcissists don’t learn from mistakes and that’s because they never get past the first step which is admitting that they made one.” —Jeffrey Kluger
“I don’t care what you think unless it is about me.” –Kurt Cobain
“You will never get the truth out of a Narcissist. The closest you will ever come is a story that either makes them the victim or the hero, but never the villain.” —Shannon L. Alder
“There is simply no winning with a narcissist. He will treat you so horribly that you will become withdrawn and depressed and then he will turn around and say, ‘You’re no fun anymore, you’re always so depressed. I need to be with someone more positive.’” —Susan Williams
“The narcissist enjoys being looked at and not looking back.” — Mason Cooley
“Hypocrissist: A narcissist who has their head so far up their ass they can’t hear the hypocrisy coming out of their mouth.” — Joel McDonald
“A narcissist is someone better looking than you are.” -Gore Vidal
More Related Articles:
Controlling Men: Empowering Advice For Women Involved With Bullies
11 Undeniable Signs It’s Time To Let Go Of A Relationship
13 Warning Signs Of A Self-Centered and Self-Absorbed Person
Leaving and Letting Go
The following quotes are here to motivate you to create distance between yourself and the narcissist you know. You need that distance to protect yourself and the people you love. Let these quotes remind you of what’s at stake.
“If I cut you off it's because you handed me the scissors.” — Harvey Specter
“We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment.” — Jim Rohn
“If you think leaving a narcissist is hard, just wait until you get the bill for not doing it.” — Kim Saeed
“Just because someone desires you, does not mean that he values you. “ — Nayyirah Waheed
“Instead of asking her why she didn’t leave her abuser sooner, tell her you are proud of her for leaving when she could.” — Christy Anne Martine
Healing from the Hurt
These quotes are to help you through your recovery from a relationship with a narcissist. You’ve been through something not everyone has. And the time will come when you’ll have your own insights and empathy to share with others on the same recovery path.
“You are not broken and in need of fixing. You are wounded and in need of healing.” ― Danu Morrigan
“There is life after narcissistic abuse, Hold On.” ― Tracy Malone
“I wish that people would stop destroying other people just because they were once destroyed.” — Karen Salmansohn
“It is mental slavery to cling to things that have stopped serving its purpose in your life.” — Chinonye J. Chidolue
“You’ve got to make a conscious choice every day to shed the old – whatever ‘the old’ means for you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Over and over again, I have learned how damaging, how unrelenting, the aftermath is from these pathological, quietly undermining relationships.” — Sandra Brown
“Recovery from narcissistic abuse is not about forgiveness. For one thing, we don’t have the credentials to forgive at that level” — Zari Ballard
“Forgive yourself for not having the foresight to know what now seems so obvious in hindsight.” — Judy Belmont
Which of these narcissistic quotes stood out to you?
Now that you’ve looked over this collection of quotes on narcissism, which ones stood out for you? Which reminded you most of your own situation and what you learned from it?
The good news? However long your relationship lasted, you can learn from it. And with your intimate understanding of narcissism and its effects, you can help others recover from their experiences, too.
You and your well-being are worth fighting for. Encourage others as you work through the healing process.
And don’t let anyone tell you how long it should take.
