--- title: "7 Blame Quotes By Stephen Covey" description: "7 Blame quotes by Stephen Covey. Plus more from Stephen Covey and more Blame sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/stephen-covey-339_accuse_to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-c_19485.png" --- > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/stephen-covey-339_accuse_to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-c_19485.png) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/stephen-covey-339_behavior_highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circ_47384.png) > [Our lives are the results of our choices. To blame and accuse other people, the environment, or other extrinsic factors is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/our-lives-are-the-results-of-our-choices-to-blame-and-accuse-other/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/stephen-covey-339_accuse_our-lives-are-the-results-of-our-choices_198347.png) > [Reactive people... are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame for their behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/reactive-people-are-often-affected-by-their-physical-environment-they/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/stephen-covey-339_affected_reactive-people-are-often-affected-by-th_490184.png) > [Look at the word responsibility-"response-ability"-the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/look-at-the-word-responsibility-response-ability-the-ability-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/stephen-covey-339_ability_look-at-the-word-responsibility-response_956668.jpg) > [When life does not go our way or we inadvertently make a mistake, it is so easy to make excuses, place blame…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-life-does-not-go-our-way-or-we-inadvertently-make-a-mistake-it/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/stephen-covey-339_action_when-life-does-not-go-our-way-or-we-inad_1503569.png) > [Being proactive is more than taking initiative. It is recognizing that we are responsible for our own choices and have the freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-initiative-it-is-recognizing-that/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/stephen-covey-339_agents_being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-init_2723942.jpg) ## Other authors on Blame ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/#itemlist", "name": "7 Blame Quotes By Stephen Covey", "numberOfItems": 7, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/stephen-covey-339_accuse_to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-c_19485.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/stephen-covey-339_accuse_to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-c_19485.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/stephen-covey-339_accuse_to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-c_19485.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/stephen-covey-339_behavior_highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circ_47384.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/stephen-covey-339_behavior_highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circ_47384.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/stephen-covey-339_behavior_highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circ_47384.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our lives are the results of our choices. To blame and accuse other people, the environment, or other extrinsic factors is to choose to empower those things to control us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/our-lives-are-the-results-of-our-choices-to-blame-and-accuse-other/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/stephen-covey-339_accuse_our-lives-are-the-results-of-our-choices_198347.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/stephen-covey-339_accuse_our-lives-are-the-results-of-our-choices_198347.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/stephen-covey-339_accuse_our-lives-are-the-results-of-our-choices_198347.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our lives are the results of our choices. To blame and accuse other people, the environment, or other…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Reactive people... are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame for their behavior.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/reactive-people-are-often-affected-by-their-physical-environment-they/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/stephen-covey-339_affected_reactive-people-are-often-affected-by-th_490184.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/stephen-covey-339_affected_reactive-people-are-often-affected-by-th_490184.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/stephen-covey-339_affected_reactive-people-are-often-affected-by-th_490184.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Reactive people... are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame for…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Look at the word responsibility-\"response-ability\"-the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/look-at-the-word-responsibility-response-ability-the-ability-to/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/stephen-covey-339_ability_look-at-the-word-responsibility-response_956668.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/stephen-covey-339_ability_look-at-the-word-responsibility-response_956668.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/stephen-covey-339_ability_look-at-the-word-responsibility-response_956668.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Look at the word responsibility-\"response-ability\"-the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When life does not go our way or we inadvertently make a mistake, it is so easy to make excuses, place blame on others, or argue that circumstances were against us. But we only progress in life to the extent that we take responsibility for our actions and attitudes, and put forth the initiative necessary to create our own circumstances.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-life-does-not-go-our-way-or-we-inadvertently-make-a-mistake-it/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/stephen-covey-339_action_when-life-does-not-go-our-way-or-we-inad_1503569.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/stephen-covey-339_action_when-life-does-not-go-our-way-or-we-inad_1503569.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/stephen-covey-339_action_when-life-does-not-go-our-way-or-we-inad_1503569.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When life does not go our way or we inadvertently make a mistake, it is so easy to make excuses, place blame…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being proactive is more than taking initiative. It is recognizing that we are responsible for our own choices and have the freedom to choose based on principles and values rather than on moods or condition. Proactive people are agents of change and choose not to be victims, to be reactive, or to blame others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-initiative-it-is-recognizing-that/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/stephen-covey-339_agents_being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-init_2723942.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/stephen-covey-339_agents_being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-init_2723942.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/stephen-covey-339_agents_being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-init_2723942.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being proactive is more than taking initiative. It is recognizing that we are responsible for our own…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/", "name": "Blame Quotes by Stephen Covey", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/stephen-covey-339_accuse_to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-c_19485.png" }, "description": "7 Blame quotes by Stephen Covey. Plus more from Stephen Covey and more Blame sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Blame", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Stephen Covey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/stephen-covey/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```