--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Telling a depressed person to be happy…" description: "\"Telling a depressed person to be happy, is like telling a person who has cancer to cure themselves.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg" --- # Telling a depressed person to be happy, is like telling a… ![“Telling a depressed person to be happy, is like telling a person who has cancer to cure themselves.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg) > “Telling a depressed person to be happy, is like telling a person who has cancer to cure themselves.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He compares urging a depressed person to be happy with telling a cancer patient to cure themselves, highlighting the insensitivity of such advice. **In simple terms:** Telling depressed people to be happy is as impossible as curing cancer. Key Takeaway Show empathy, not unrealistic expectations. Themes mental health empathy stigma support compassion Mood sympathetic serious thoughtful Type psychological social ethical When to use this quote - counseling - support groups - healthcare - friendship - family interactions Key Concepts Psychological realism ethical communication Questions to Reflect On - How can you support someone without minimizing their pain? - What language shows genuine empathy? A Different Perspective May overlook that encouragement can be helpful when delivered sensitively. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Being depressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-depressed/) [Depressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depressed/) [Depressed person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depressed-person/) ## Related quotes > [“Telling a depressed person things like “Pull yourself out of it” is cruel and may reinforce the feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and failure already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-mark-mondimore/telling-a-depressed-person-things-like-pull-yourself-out-of-it-is/) Francis Mark Mondimore > [Telling someone who's depressed to Just get over it is like telling a blind person to Just look harder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/telling-someone-who-s-depressed-to-just-get-over-it-is-like-telling-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You spend so much time telling a person you love them but not enough time proving it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-spend-so-much-time-telling-a-person-you-love-them-but-not-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You know your life has reached another level of sad when your own mother mocks you for being clinically depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-your-life-has-reached-another-level-of-sad-when-your-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do you know why you're so sad all the time? You're counting your worries not your blessings! Of course you'll be sad and depressed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-know-why-you-re-so-sad-all-the-time-you-re-counting-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being depressed fells like you're drowning, but the hardest thing is that you can see ...everyone around you breathing with ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-depressed-fells-like-you-re-drowning-but-the-hardest-thing-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you're depressed, all it takes is one good conversation to make you feel like singing. It being payday helps too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-re-depressed-all-it-takes-is-one-good-conversation-to-make/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Stop being so damn sad and depressed all the time. Are you still breathing? Ok, life could be a lot worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-being-so-damn-sad-and-depressed-all-the-time-are-you-still/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being depressed is for people who cant hide their feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-depressed-is-for-people-who-cant-hide-their-feelings/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Stop being so damn depressed all the time! Life is too short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-being-so-damn-depressed-all-the-time-life-is-too-short/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you're feeling down and depressed there's always going to be those who want to make you worse. But look for those who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-re-feeling-down-and-depressed-there-s-always-going-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hate being in a sad depressed mood for no reason...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-being-in-a-sad-depressed-mood-for-no-reason/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is this big difference between being depressed and heartbroken...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-this-big-difference-between-being-depressed-and-heartbroken/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is to short to being living with stress I'm to young to be all depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-to-short-to-being-living-with-stress-i-m-to-young-to-be-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People with cancer are not put in prisons or mental hospitals or homeless shelters like others who are considered deviant, although there are many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-boyer/people-with-cancer-are-not-put-in-prisons-or-mental-hospitals-or/) Anne Boyer ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) Mak\_786 > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [My relationship with Ibrahimovic was completely neutral. He is not the type of player to approach the younger players and give them advice. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-coman/my-relationship-with-ibrahimovic-was-completely-neutral-he-is-not-the/) [Kingsley Coman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-coman/) [Browse all 8,535 Advice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Telling a depressed person to be happy, is like telling a person who has cancer to cure themselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-is-like-telling-a-person-who/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-is-like-telling-a-person-who/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/anonymous-1_advice_telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-i_2217210.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Telling a depressed person to be happy, is like telling a person who has cancer to cure themselves.” — Anonymous", "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": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Telling a depressed person to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-is-like-telling-a-person-who/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/telling-a-depressed-person-to-be-happy-is-like-telling-a-person-who/#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 } } ] } ```