--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your only shame is to have shame." description: "\"Your only shame is to have shame.\" — Amy Tan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg" --- # Your only shame is to have shame. ![“Your only shame is to have shame.” quote by Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg) > “Your only shame is to have shame.” [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shame is only a problem if you let it control you; otherwise it is irrelevant. **In simple terms:** Shame only matters if you accept it. Key Takeaway Release shame, focus on growth. Themes self‑esteem psychology freedom emotional health Mood introspective hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal setbacks - public criticism - social media Key Concepts acceptance self‑compassion inner dialogue Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your shame? - How can you transform shame into motivation? A Different Perspective Shame can be a useful signal if misused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Shame Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame-shame-580563/) ## Related quotes > [“...it was ludicrous to think that we could just talk our way out of shame, that shame was necessary, that it prevented us from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-toews/it-was-ludicrous-to-think-that-we-could-just-talk-our-way-out-of/) [Miriam Toews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-toews/) > [“Oh shame, shame! Oh crying shame! How can we? Why do we allow ourselves? What are we doing? The last little room of dirt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/oh-shame-shame-oh-crying-shame-how-can-we-why-do-we-allow-ourselves/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [“But focus always on your shame, and your shame will eat you. It will become you. That is the coward's way. A coward never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-m-liu/but-focus-always-on-your-shame-and-your-shame-will-eat-you-it-will/) [Marjorie M. Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-m-liu/) > [“The unfailing rhythm of the seasons, the ever-turning wheel of life, the four facets of the earth which are lit in turn by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/the-unfailing-rhythm-of-the-seasons-the-ever-turning-wheel-of-life/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [“I’ve been grasping at nothing, running in circles, trying desperately to fill the emptiness inside with nothing but air. If I think about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-cohen/i-ve-been-grasping-at-nothing-running-in-circles-trying-desperately/) [Kerry Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-cohen/) > [“It wasn't the practices, I don't think, it was the feeling that the great, deadly, pointing forefinger of society was pointing at me--and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kesey/it-wasn-t-the-practices-i-don-t-think-it-was-the-feeling-that-the/) [Ken Kesey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kesey/) > [You are putting yourself in serious danger...' I think that I preferred to put myself in serious danger rather than confront my shame. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjane-satrapi/you-are-putting-yourself-in-serious-danger-i-think-that-i-preferred/) [Marjane Satrapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjane-satrapi/) > [“The God, when he draws near, will the heart stand fast. But, oh my, shame! when of My shame! And let me say at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-h-lderlin/the-god-when-he-draws-near-will-the-heart-stand-fast-but-oh-my-shame/) [Friedrich Hölderlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-h-lderlin/) > [“Conviction says, 'My behavior was wrong.' Satan, on the other hand, floods our hearts with shame. Shame says, 'There is something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-forehand/conviction-says-my-behavior-was-wrong-satan-on-the-other-hand-floods/) [Dale Forehand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-forehand/) > [“Toxic shame, the shame that binds us, is experienced as the all-pervasive sense that “I am flawed and defective as a human being.” Toxic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/toxic-shame-the-shame-that-binds-us-is-experienced-as-the-all/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [“The shame attached to rape was men’s shame, shame they were too weak to carry: that their gender could do this, that they could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nevada-barr/the-shame-attached-to-rape-was-men-s-shame-shame-they-were-too-weak/) [Nevada Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nevada-barr/) > [“Oh, such a shame, such a shame. Oh, such a shame. What’s it all about anyhow?” “I’ve wondered for a long time.” “But why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/oh-such-a-shame-such-a-shame-oh-such-a-shame-what-s-it-all-about/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Always be yourself. never try to hide who you are. the only shame is to have shame. always stand up for what you believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-be-yourself-never-try-to-hide-who-you-are-the-only-shame-is-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No, not shame on you. Shame on her. She can't see what's right in front of her giving her his all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danialla/no-not-shame-on-you-shame-on-her-she-can-t-see-what-s-right-in-front/) [DaniAlla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danialla/) > [I believe we all have lists of shame. Long lists. We live with our constellation of shames quite privately. But they weigh us down.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-redel/i-believe-we-all-have-lists-of-shame-long-lists-we-live-with-our/) [Victoria Redel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-redel/) ## More by Amy Tan > [So sad! This is the saddest part when you lose someone you love- that person keeps changing. And later you wonder, Is this the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/so-sad-this-is-the-saddest-part-when-you-lose-someone-you-love-that/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Too many good things all seem the same after a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/too-many-good-things-all-seem-the-same-after-a-while/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“bad, how likely is it to come”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/bad-how-likely-is-it-to-come/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Shanghainese people are good negotiators, they're very persistent, and you grow up in an atmosphere like that - very competitive. That becomes part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/shanghainese-people-are-good-negotiators-they-re-very-persistent-and/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [But now that I am old, moving every year closer to the end of my life, I also feel closer to the beginning. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/but-now-that-i-am-old-moving-every-year-closer-to-the-end-of-my-life/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [You should think about your character. Know where you are changing, how you will be changed, what cannot be changed back again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/you-should-think-about-your-character-know-where-you-are-changing-how/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Now you see,' said the turtle, drifting back into the pond, 'why it is useless to cry. Your tears do not wash away your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/now-you-see-said-the-turtle-drifting-back-into-the-pond-why-it-is/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I hid my deepest feelings so well I forgot where I placed them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-hid-my-deepest-feelings-so-well-i-forgot-where-i-placed-them/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“Lebih baik jadi orang yang TIDAK TERLUPAKAN daripada orang yang MEMBOSANKAN -”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/lebih-baik-jadi-orang-yang-tidak-terlupakan-daripada-orang-yang/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [After all, Bao Bomu says, what is the past but what we choose to remember?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/after-all-bao-bomu-says-what-is-the-past-but-what-we-choose-to/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [We all become different readers in how we respond to books, why we need them, what we take from them. We become different in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/we-all-become-different-readers-in-how-we-respond-to-books-why-we/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I was no longer scared. I could see what was inside me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-was-no-longer-scared-i-could-see-what-was-inside-me/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [When I go back and read my journals or fiction, I am always surprised. I may not remember having those thoughts, but they still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/when-i-go-back-and-read-my-journals-or-fiction-i-am-always-surprised/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I am ashamed she is ashamed. Because she is my daughter and I am proud of her, and I am her mother but she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-am-ashamed-she-is-ashamed-because-she-is-my-daughter-and-i-am-proud/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) [Explore all 383 Amy Tan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## More Funny quotes > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Sometimes I look at my awesome twitter followers & think to myself, What the hell would I do without them :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sometimes-i-look-at-my-awesome-twitter-followers-think-to-myself-what/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/) [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) > [Congratulations to Facebook on going public with all my private information...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/congratulations-to-facebook-on-going-public-with-all-my-private/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why are things as they are and not otherwise?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-kepler/why-are-things-as-they-are-and-not-otherwise/) [Johannes Kepler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-kepler/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Penis goes in , sperms cums out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/penis-goes-in-sperms-cums-out/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/if-you-were-to-send-a-werewolf-to-the-moon-would-he-be-a-werewolf/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) > [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/) [Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/) > [Don't think OF the market. Think AS the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fishman/don-t-think-of-the-market-think-as-the-market/) [Michael Fishman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fishman/) [Browse all 39,858 Funny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Your only shame is to have shame.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy Tan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Funny" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/amy-tan-730_funny_your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame-2177185_2177185.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Your only shame is to have shame.” — Amy Tan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "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": "Amy Tan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Your only shame is to have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/your-only-shame-is-to-have-shame/#breadcrumb" }, { "@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 } } ] } ```