--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Other people's views and troubles can be…" description: "\"Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your asso..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg" --- # Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't… ![“Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg) > “Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The attitudes and problems of those around you can spread to you, so guard against adopting harmful mindsets from your social circle. **In simple terms:** Other people's negativity can affect you. Key Takeaway Choose positive influences. Themes self‑control influence mindset Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - workplace - friendships - family gatherings - online communities Key Concepts Stoicism social contagion Questions to Reflect On - Who in your life consistently lifts you up? - How do you set boundaries with toxic attitudes? A Different Perspective Negative influence can be subtle and hard to detect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sabotage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sabotage/) ## Related quotes > [“Sarraxyn has already told me what your swan has gotten you into. See, this is what happens when you spend so much time around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/sarraxyn-has-already-told-me-what-your-swan-has-gotten-you-into-see/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I think there is a classy way to go about changing people's views about how they treat animals, and that is with compassion, strategic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-cleary/i-think-there-is-a-classy-way-to-go-about-changing-people-s-views/) [Katie Cleary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-cleary/) > [In post modern culture, people not only have their own views, they think they are entitled to their own facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-boghossian/in-post-modern-culture-people-not-only-have-their-own-views-they/) [Peter Boghossian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-boghossian/) > [It's good to get out of the closet and talk about it and find out other people's views.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-matarazzo/it-s-good-to-get-out-of-the-closet-and-talk-about-it-and-find-out/) [Heather Matarazzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-matarazzo/) > [I'm not entangled in shaping my work according to other people's views of how I should have done it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/i-m-not-entangled-in-shaping-my-work-according-to-other-people-s/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Most young people have tremendous respect for older people's views.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/most-young-people-have-tremendous-respect-for-older-people-s-views/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [The reality is you've got to be yourself. You've got to be who you are. You've got to be honest with people. If your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/the-reality-is-you-ve-got-to-be-yourself-you-ve-got-to-be-who-you-are/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [It's a fact of life that how you dress affects how you are perceived and whether your contribution to a meeting is registered as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-ellis/it-s-a-fact-of-life-that-how-you-dress-affects-how-you-are-perceived/) [Stephanie Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-ellis/) > [I am one who believes that the people's views and values are represented by those who they elect in the legislative branch and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-allen/i-am-one-who-believes-that-the-people-s-views-and-values-are/) [George Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-allen/) > [You've got to be who you are. You've got to be honest with people. If your views change on something, you've got to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/you-ve-got-to-be-who-you-are-you-ve-got-to-be-honest-with-people-if/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [We ought at least, from prudence, never to speak of ourselves, because that is a subject on which we may be sure that other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/we-ought-at-least-from-prudence-never-to-speak-of-ourselves-because/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [I like pacifists and people who have a heavy emotional identification with deathism and war would probably call me a pacifist, but I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anton-wilson/i-like-pacifists-and-people-who-have-a-heavy-emotional-identification/) [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) > [I sabotage myself for fear of what my bigness could do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/i-sabotage-myself-for-fear-of-what-my-bigness-could-do/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [Believe me, I have better things to do than sabotage your friendships. No one else's world revolves around you, Cassandra." -Paige to Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/believe-me-i-have-better-things-to-do-than-sabotage-your-friendships/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [No truly conscious human being sabotages himself - it's impossible, because it's contrary to Nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/no-truly-conscious-human-being-sabotages-himself-it-s-impossible/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-else-can-i-do-a-lame-old-man-but-sing-hymns-to-god-if-i-were-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Association quotes > [If you are poor, shun association with him who measures men with the yardstick of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-are-poor-shun-association-with-him-who-measures-men-with-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [So few men are really worth knowing, that it seems a shameful waste to let an anthropoid prejudice stand in the way of free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/so-few-men-are-really-worth-knowing-that-it-seems-a-shameful-waste-to/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [For rich children, it'd be very easy and convenient never to take any steps to build an identity outside of your association with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-johnson/for-rich-children-it-d-be-very-easy-and-convenient-never-to-take-any/) [Jamie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-johnson/) > [I am a member of that small, little group that covers - I'm a member of the White House correspondents association. I go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-am-a-member-of-that-small-little-group-that-covers-i-m-a-member-of/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [While opponents label (Howard) Dean a throwback liberal, The New York Times recently noted that as governor, Dean cut income taxes, reformed welfare and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/while-opponents-label-howard-dean-a-throwback-liberal-the-new-york/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Anarchism is a definite intellectual current in the life of our times, whose adherents advocate the abolition of economic monopolies and of all political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-rocker/anarchism-is-a-definite-intellectual-current-in-the-life-of-our-times/) [Rudolf Rocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-rocker/) > [The feedback that I get from my association with Gomez is heartwarming. It is very difficult for me to take anything but a positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-astin/the-feedback-that-i-get-from-my-association-with-gomez-is/) [John Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-astin/) > [Public and private funds have been thrown around like confetti at a country fair, to close up and destroy clinics, hospitals, and scientific research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-fitzgerald/public-and-private-funds-have-been-thrown-around-like-confetti-at-a/) Benedict Fitzgerald > [ \[T\]here are, at bottom, basically two ways to order social affairs, Coercively, through the mechanisms of the state - what we can call political… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-crane/t-here-are-at-bottom-basically-two-ways-to-order-social-affairs/) [Ed Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-crane/) > [Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/whatever-withdraws-us-from-the-power-of-our-senses-whatever-makes-the/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The Stroke Association has produced leaflets that set out clearly the health risks associated with stroke that African-Caribbean people face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linford-christie/the-stroke-association-has-produced-leaflets-that-set-out-clearly-the/) [Linford Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linford-christie/) > [The regular division of the plane into congruent figures evoking an association in the observer with a familiar natural object is one of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/the-regular-division-of-the-plane-into-congruent-figures-evoking-an/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [Marriage is an association of two persons for the purpose of making one the beneficiary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/marriage-is-an-association-of-two-persons-for-the-purpose-of-making/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [With a shiver of foreboding he saw his marriage becoming what most of the other marriages about him were: a dull association of material…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/with-a-shiver-of-foreboding-he-saw-his-marriage-becoming-what-most-of/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) Browse all 863 Association quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be-contagious-don-t-sabotage/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Association" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be-contagious-don-t-sabotage/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/152/epictetus-413_association_other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be_1266493.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting…” — Epictetus", "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": "Epictetus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Other people's views and troubles can...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be-contagious-don-t-sabotage/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/other-people-s-views-and-troubles-can-be-contagious-don-t-sabotage/#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 } } ] } ```