--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Spare yourselves from the indulgence of…" description: "\"Spare yourselves from the indulgence of self-pity. It is always self-defeating. Subdue the negative and emphasize the positive.\" — Gordon B. Hinckley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/gordon-b-hinckley-331_attitude_spare-yourselves-from-the-indulgence-of_1852658.png" --- # Spare yourselves from the indulgence of self-pity. It is… ![“Spare yourselves from the indulgence of self-pity. It is always self-defeating. Subdue the negative and emphasize the positive.” quote by Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/gordon-b-hinckley-331_attitude_spare-yourselves-from-the-indulgence-of_1852658.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/gordon-b-hinckley-331_attitude_spare-yourselves-from-the-indulgence-of_1852658.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/gordon-b-hinckley-331_attitude_spare-yourselves-from-the-indulgence-of_1852658.png) > “Spare yourselves from the indulgence of self-pity. It is always self-defeating. Subdue the negative and emphasize the positive.” [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages rejecting self‑pity, focusing on positivity, and overcoming defeatist attitudes. **In simple terms:** Avoid self‑pity; focus on the positive. Key Takeaway Choose optimism over self‑pity. Themes self‑improvement positivity mental health Mood reflective encouraging Type advice motivational When to use this quote - personal setbacks - health challenges - relationship conflicts - career obstacles Key Concepts cognitive reframing resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift from self‑pity to constructive action? - What positive steps can you take today? A Different Perspective Positive focus can be hard when pain is intense. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity/) [Positive attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-attitude/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-pity/) ## Related quotes > [We need to emphasize the more positive aspects of our species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everett-mcgill/we-need-to-emphasize-the-more-positive-aspects-of-our-species/) [Everett McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everett-mcgill/) > [Ive never understood pity and self-pity as an emotion. We have a finite amount of time. Whether short or long, it doesnt matter. Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/ive-never-understood-pity-and-self-pity-as-an-emotion-we-have-a/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [Let there be an end ... of all this welter of pity, which is only self-pity reflected onto some obvious surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/let-there-be-an-end-of-all-this-welter-of-pity-which-is-only-self/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [“Self-compassion isn’t talked about as much as it should be, maybe because it’s often confused with its troublesome cousins, self-pity and self-indulgence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/self-compassion-isn-t-talked-about-as-much-as-it-should-be-maybe-2/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [“All depression has its roots in self-pity, and all self-pity is rooted in people taking themselves too seriously.” At the time Switters had disputed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/all-depression-has-its-roots-in-self-pity-and-all-self-pity-is-rooted/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“Certainly the most destructive vice if you like, that a person can have. More than pride, which is supposedly the number one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/certainly-the-most-destructive-vice-if-you-like-that-a-person-can/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [“You'll do well, if you don't mire in self-pity. Self-pity only gets you more of the same. Don't waste time on it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/you-ll-do-well-if-you-don-t-mire-in-self-pity-self-pity-only-gets-you/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [I've never understood pity and self-pity as an emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/i-ve-never-understood-pity-and-self-pity-as-an-emotion/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [I tell people to monitor their self-pity. Self-pity is very unattractive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-duke/i-tell-people-to-monitor-their-self-pity-self-pity-is-very/) [Patty Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-duke/) > [Crying is self-pity and self-pity gets you no where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-kennedy/crying-is-self-pity-and-self-pity-gets-you-no-where/) [Douglas Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-kennedy/) > [“I’ve never understood pity and self-pity as an emotion. We have a finite amount of time. Whether short or long, it doesn’t matter. Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/i-ve-never-understood-pity-and-self-pity-as-an-emotion-we-have-a/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [“And before we can be clean and ready for Him to control, self-seeking, self-glory, self-interest, self-pity, self-righteousness, self-importance, self-promotion, self-satisfaction—and whatsoever else there be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/and-before-we-can-be-clean-and-ready-for-him-to-control-self-seeking/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [Crime is a pity of self-will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/crime-is-a-pity-of-self-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Tutt’al più commuoversi sugli altri,mai su se stesso. To pity others perhaps, never to pity one’s self. Be touched by others, don’t be touched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/tutt-al-pi-commuoversi-sugli-altri-mai-su-se-stesso-to-pity-others/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [All pity is self-pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/all-pity-is-self-pity/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) ## More by Gordon B. Hinckley > [“Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. We do not know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/now-we-are-at-war-great-forces-have-been-mobilized-and-will-continue/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [“Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/do-not-trade-your-birthright-as-a-mother-for-some-bauble-of-passing/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Some husbands regard it as their prerogative to compel their wives to fit their standards of what they think to be the ideal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/some-husbands-regard-it-as-their-prerogative-to-compel-their-wives-to/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [There have been times when a particularly heavy dose of such cynicism has caused me to reflect that surely this is the age and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-have-been-times-when-a-particularly-heavy-dose-of-such-cynicism/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of tolerance, with forbearance one for another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-must-work-harder-to-build-mutual-respect-an-attitude-of-tolerance/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Who can calculate the wounds inflicted, their depth and pain, by harsh and mean words spoken in anger? How pitiful a sight is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/who-can-calculate-the-wounds-inflicted-their-depth-and-pain-by-harsh/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/if-you-will-make-your-first-concern-the-comfort-the-well-being-and/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/get-on-your-knees-and-pray-then-get-on-your-feet-and-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [I have now been an officer in this Church for a very long time. I am an old man who cannot deny the calendar.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/i-have-now-been-an-officer-in-this-church-for-a-very-long-time-i-am/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Books represent the accumulated workings of the human mind, the endless treasures of man's thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/books-represent-the-accumulated-workings-of-the-human-mind-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The Voice of Heaven is a still small voice. The voice of peace in the home is a quiet voice. There is need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/the-voice-of-heaven-is-a-still-small-voice-the-voice-of-peace-in-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We wear on our faces the results of what we believe and how we behave, and such behavior is most evident in the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-wear-on-our-faces-the-results-of-what-we-believe-and-how-we-behave/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [You are great young people. I have said again and again, we have the finest generation of young people ever in the history of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/you-are-great-young-people-i-have-said-again-and-again-we-have-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Work without vision is drudgery. Vision without work is dreaming. Work plus vision-this is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/work-without-vision-is-drudgery-vision-without-work-is-dreaming-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [There is no association richer than the companionship of husband and wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-is-no-association-richer-than-the-companionship-of-husband-and/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) [Explore all 669 Gordon B. Hinckley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Spare yourselves from the indulgence of self-pity. It is always self-defeating. Subdue the negative and emphasize the positive.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gordon B. 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