--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But most important of all, she explained…" description: "\"But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it was power. The power to think ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/alice-hoffman-427_believe_but-most-important-of-all-she-explained_24589.jpg" --- # But most important of all, she explained that it was all… ![“But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it was power. The power to think my own thoughts. The power to believe in myself.” quote by Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/alice-hoffman-427_believe_but-most-important-of-all-she-explained_24589.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/alice-hoffman-427_believe_but-most-important-of-all-she-explained_24589.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/alice-hoffman-427_believe_but-most-important-of-all-she-explained_24589.jpg) > “But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it was power. The power to think my own thoughts. The power to believe in myself.” [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes the empowerment that comes from the freedom to dissent and trust one's own judgment, viewing disagreement as a personal strength. **In simple terms:** Freedom to think independently. Key Takeaway Dissent fuels self‑confidence. Themes empowerment individualism courage self‑trust autonomy Mood defiant inspired Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - creative brainstorming - academic debate - leadership meetings Key Concepts critical thinking self‑esteem Practical Applications - coaching for assertiveness - educational curricula on critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How does saying 'no' reshape your sense of agency? - When might dissent hinder collaboration? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I went to law school because I understood what the power of the law is to make a difference in people's lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-harris/i-went-to-law-school-because-i-understood-what-the-power-of-the-law/) [Maya Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-harris/) > [“Yeah, there were regrets - but mostly there was an understanding - it had all brought her to here. To now. To who she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yeah-there-were-regrets-but-mostly-there-was-an-understanding-it-had/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Those who wrote the Constitution clearly understood that power is dangerous and needs to be limited by being separated - separated not only into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/those-who-wrote-the-constitution-clearly-understood-that-power-is/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-eadie/if-we-understood-the-power-of-our-thoughts-we-would-guard-them-more-2/) [Betty Eadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-eadie/) > [“Yes, her cousin understood perhaps more than anyone else the power a single symbol could wield. How the loss or reclaiming of one could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/yes-her-cousin-understood-perhaps-more-than-anyone-else-the-power-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Thoughts have power; thoughts are energy. And you can make your world or break it by your own thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-l-taylor/thoughts-have-power-thoughts-are-energy-and-you-can-make-your-world/) [Susan L. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-l-taylor/) > [“But you give your thoughts too much power, Aza. Thoughts are only thoughts. They are not you. You do belong to yourself, even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/but-you-give-your-thoughts-too-much-power-aza-thoughts-are-only/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Your thoughts have the power to control; our being, our emotions, and the way we view the world that surrounds us. If you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-r-lemieux/your-thoughts-have-the-power-to-control-our-being-our-emotions-and/) [Martin R. Lemieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-r-lemieux/) > [You have the power to change your thoughts and your thoughts have the power to change your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-willingham/you-have-the-power-to-change-your-thoughts-and-your-thoughts-have-the/) [Ron Willingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-willingham/) > [The only thing worried thoughts have the power to change is what the next thing will be for you to worry over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/the-only-thing-worried-thoughts-have-the-power-to-change-is-what-the/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) > [“Do not let your negative thoughts have power over you because those thoughts will end up controlling your life. No one can live a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/do-not-let-your-negative-thoughts-have-power-over-you-because-those/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) > [Ideals are thoughts. So long as they exist merely as thoughts, the power in them remains ineffective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ideals-are-thoughts-so-long-as-they-exist-merely-as-thoughts-the/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“Never underestimate the power of your mind. Whether positive or negative thoughts, that power will reveal itself in a matter of time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corletia-dunlap-banks/never-underestimate-the-power-of-your-mind-whether-positive-or/) Corletia Dunlap Banks > [We can choose power-enhancing thoughts, not power-draining thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/we-can-choose-power-enhancing-thoughts-not-power-draining-thoughts/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [There are many ways in which people are made aware of their power to believe in the supremacy of Divine guidance and power: through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-boris-chain/there-are-many-ways-in-which-people-are-made-aware-of-their-power-to/) Ernst Boris Chain ## More by Alice Hoffman > [Women know things that men will never know. We keep the best secrets. We tell the best stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/women-know-things-that-men-will-never-know-we-keep-the-best-secrets/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“All of the quarters in his hand were tarnished. He had no idea that the silver in a man’s pockets always turns black if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/all-of-the-quarters-in-his-hand-were-tarnished-he-had-no-idea-that/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“It was after dark when the woods were most filled with magic, when there were fireflies and the mist was rising from the streams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/it-was-after-dark-when-the-woods-were-most-filled-with-magic-when/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Never look back, that's what she's told herself. Don't think about swans or being alone in the dark. Don't think of storms, or lightning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/never-look-back-that-s-what-she-s-told-herself-don-t-think-about/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [This was what it meant to be human, to know that time moved and all things changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/this-was-what-it-meant-to-be-human-to-know-that-time-moved-and-all/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“She preferred cats to human beings and turned down every offer from the men who fell in love with her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/she-preferred-cats-to-human-beings-and-turned-down-every-offer-from/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [I'm a really eclectic reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/i-m-a-really-eclectic-reader/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [It's not the lie that's the problem; it's the distance the lie forges between you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/it-s-not-the-lie-that-s-the-problem-it-s-the-distance-the-lie-forges/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Her vision was going, but she could see him, the way people see clouds-beautiful, racing by, casting shadows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/her-vision-was-going-but-she-could-see-him-the-way-people-see-clouds/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [That's why there are ten gates to pass through before you reach the garden. If life were easy there would be one gate. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/that-s-why-there-are-ten-gates-to-pass-through-before-you-reach-the/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“...the summer of the gypsy moths when all the trees in their yard were bare, the leaves chewed by caterpillars. You could hear crunching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/the-summer-of-the-gypsy-moths-when-all-the-trees-in-their-yard-were/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“The best way to die is when you're living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/the-best-way-to-die-is-when-you-re-living/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Haylin was given a good talking-to by the headmaster and made to write a paper about workers’ rights, which he considered a privilege rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/haylin-was-given-a-good-talking-to-by-the-headmaster-and-made-to/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/my-darling-girl-when-are-you-going-to-realize-that-being-normal-is/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [He'd thought he was lost, but now he recognized that eternity was around him, like salt from a shaker or stars in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/he-d-thought-he-was-lost-but-now-he-recognized-that-eternity-was/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) [Explore all 571 Alice Hoffman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it was power. The power to think my own thoughts. 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