---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you give another person the power to…"
description: "\"When you give another person the power to define you, then you also give them the power to control you.\" — Anonymous"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg"
---

#  When you give another person the power to define you, then…

![“When you give another person the power to define you, then you also give them the power to control you.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg)

> “When you give another person the power to define you, then you also give them the power to control you.”

[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.

Allowing others to define you gives them control over your identity and actions.

**In simple terms:** Giving power to others lets them control you.

Key Takeaway

Own your self‑definition.

Themes

identity power control self‑esteem autonomy

Mood

introspective empowering

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- relationships
- workplace
- social media
- personal branding

Key Concepts

psychology social influence personal boundaries

Questions to Reflect On

- Who defines you?
- How can you reclaim agency?

A Different Perspective

Self‑reflection can be uncomfortable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Codependency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/codependency/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Emotional abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-abuse/) [Emotional intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-intelligence/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/)

## Related quotes

> [The power to define the situation is the ultimate power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rubin/the-power-to-define-the-situation-is-the-ultimate-power/)

[Jerry Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rubin/)

> [“Do not give your past the power to define your future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dhiren-prajapati/do-not-give-your-past-the-power-to-define-your-future/)

[Dhiren Prajapati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dhiren-prajapati/)

> [“Emotionally immature people often have difficulty engaging in humor in ways that strengthen bonds with others. Instead, they push humor on others, even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-c-gibson/emotionally-immature-people-often-have-difficulty-engaging-in-humor/)

[Lindsay C. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-c-gibson/)

> [I define power as control over one's life. Pay is not about power. Pay is about giving up power to get the power of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/i-define-power-as-control-over-one-s-life-pay-is-not-about-power-pay/)

[Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/)

> [I've always had a philosophy that position doesn't define power. Impact defines power. What impact are you making on people? What impact are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-grossman/i-ve-always-had-a-philosophy-that-position-doesn-t-define-power/)

[Mindy Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-grossman/)

> [I know for sure that you have to re-define power as power that comes from within. Success needs to be more comprehensive and attached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-bloom/i-know-for-sure-that-you-have-to-re-define-power-as-power-that-comes/)

[Molly Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-bloom/)

> [I define power as control over ones life. A balanced life is far superior to the male definition of power: earning money someone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/i-define-power-as-control-over-ones-life-a-balanced-life-is-far/)

[Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/)

> [I define power as 'control over one's life.' A balanced life is far superior to the male definition of power: earning money someone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/i-define-power-as-control-over-one-s-life-a-balanced-life-is-far/)

[Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/)

> [Scholarship except by accident is never the measure of a person's power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scholarship-except-by-accident-is-never-the-measure-of-a-person-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When we attempt to exercise power or control over someone else, we cannot avoid giving that person the very same power or control over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-attempt-to-exercise-power-or-control-over-someone-else-we/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You know why he treats you the way he does? Because you throw yourself on the ground and act like a rug he can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-why-he-treats-you-the-way-he-does-because-you-throw-yourself/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm tired of breaking down. I'm tired of this silly game. I'm done and giving up. Sorry, I guess you need to look for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-tired-of-breaking-down-i-m-tired-of-this-silly-game-i-m-done-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [My heart is like a welcome mat. People use it, walk all over it, kick it, and leave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-heart-is-like-a-welcome-mat-people-use-it-walk-all-over-it-kick-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [One day, I'll start messing with your feelings and you'll get mad because I finally learned how to play your game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-day-i-ll-start-messing-with-your-feelings-and-you-ll-get-mad/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I hate it when somebody treats you like crap, but you still worry about them. It's like no matter what happens to you, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-it-when-somebody-treats-you-like-crap-but-you-still-worry/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## 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 Codependency quotes

> [“Once they have been affected---once "it" sets in---codependency takes on a life of its own. It is similar to catching pneumonia or picking up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/once-they-have-been-affected-once-it-sets-in-codependency-takes-on-a/)

[Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/)

> [“1. We fear people because they can expose and humiliate us. 2. We fear people because they can reject, ridicule, or despise us. 3.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-t-welch/1-we-fear-people-because-they-can-expose-and-humiliate-us-2-we-fear/)

[Edward T. Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-t-welch/)

> [“Acknowledgment remained absent long-term. She would push to the point of sickness through drinking and activities that made recovery more difficult. She would refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-winsomer/acknowledgment-remained-absent-long-term-she-would-push-to-the-point/)

Neal Winsomer

> [“Like all sex and love addicts, I can feel someone’s attention and attraction from a hundred yards away—hell, I can feel them from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/like-all-sex-and-love-addicts-i-can-feel-someone-s-attention-and/)

[Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/)

> [“People that can’t control their behavior have a problem with discipline. But lack of discipline over the body originates in a restless mind. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/people-that-can-t-control-their-behavior-have-a-problem-with/)

[Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/)

> [“I HOLD If I could have had him, I could have let him go. But without the having there was nothing— so to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-j-ginger/i-hold-if-i-could-have-had-him-i-could-have-let-him-go-but-without/)

Coco J. Ginger

> [“It was difficult to know where to find comfort, especially since I could no longer medicate myself with my oldest and deepest fantasy: that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/it-was-difficult-to-know-where-to-find-comfort-especially-since-i/)

[Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/)

> [“Because empaths can see the world through their partner’s point of view, they frequently tend to completely mesh with the viewpoints of their abusers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aletheia-luna/because-empaths-can-see-the-world-through-their-partner-s-point-of/)

[Aletheia Luna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aletheia-luna/)

> [“If you live your life to please everyone else, you will continue to feel frustrated and powerless. This is because what others want may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/if-you-live-your-life-to-please-everyone-else-you-will-continue-to/)

[Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/)

> [“Stepping out of other people’s drama cycles was scary, weird, and difficult for me at first. I felt guilty for keeping the focus on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/stepping-out-of-other-people-s-drama-cycles-was-scary-weird-and/)

[Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/)

> [“The psyche cannot tolerate a vacuum of love. In the severely abused or deprived child, pain, dis-ease, and violance rush in to fill the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/the-psyche-cannot-tolerate-a-vacuum-of-love-in-the-severely-abused-or/)

[Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/)

> [“There's always something in it for the person who is allowing to be taken advantage of." Psychotherapist David in Type 1 Sociopath”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-a-speers/there-s-always-something-in-it-for-the-person-who-is-allowing-to-be/)

P.A. Speers

> [“If I am this capable of loving an alcoholic so much, imagine how awesome I could be at loving myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-w-wroldson/if-i-am-this-capable-of-loving-an-alcoholic-so-much-imagine-how/)

Grace W. Wroldson

> [“sometimes i love you means i want to love you sometimes i love you means i’ll stay a little while longer sometimes i love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/sometimes-i-love-you-means-i-want-to-love-you-sometimes-i-love-you/)

[Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/)

> [“As I listened to the other addicts share their life experiences, I began to hear the story of my own life, told in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/as-i-listened-to-the-other-addicts-share-their-life-experiences-i/)

[Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/)

[Browse all 42 Codependency quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/codependency/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When you give another person the power to define you, then you also give them the power to control you.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anonymous"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-give-another-person-the-power-to-define-you-then-you-also/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Codependency"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-give-another-person-the-power-to-define-you-then-you-also/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/anonymous-1_codependency_when-you-give-another-person-the-power-t_338804.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you give another person the power to define you, then you also give them the power to control you.” — 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": "When you give another person the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-give-another-person-the-power-to-define-you-then-you-also/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-give-another-person-the-power-to-define-you-then-you-also/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
