--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't idolize anyone if you can. You…" description: "\"Don't idolize anyone if you can. You know, be inspired by people, certainly, but don't idolize people... Because they'll let you down.\" — Greg Behrendt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/greg-behrendt-2271_be-inspired_don-t-idolize-anyone-if-you-can-you-know_2968466.png" --- # Don't idolize anyone if you can. You know, be inspired by… ![“Don't idolize anyone if you can. You know, be inspired by people, certainly, but don't idolize people... Because they'll let you down.” quote by Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/greg-behrendt-2271_be-inspired_don-t-idolize-anyone-if-you-can-you-know_2968466.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/greg-behrendt-2271_be-inspired_don-t-idolize-anyone-if-you-can-you-know_2968466.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/greg-behrendt-2271_be-inspired_don-t-idolize-anyone-if-you-can-you-know_2968466.png) > “Don't idolize anyone if you can. You know, be inspired by people, certainly, but don't idolize people... Because they'll let you down.” [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admiration can become disappointment; inspiration is healthier than idolization. **In simple terms:** Be inspired, not idolized. Key Takeaway Seek role models, keep realistic expectations. Themes expectations inspiration relationships Mood cautious thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career mentorship - personal growth - team dynamics Key Concepts idolization disappointment Questions to Reflect On - Who inspires you without becoming a hero? - How do you handle disappointment? A Different Perspective Idolizing can limit personal agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be inspired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-inspired/) [Idolize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolize/) [Idolize Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolize-know-3536011/) [Idolize People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolize-people-3023279/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspired/) [Inspired People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspired-people/) [Know Inspired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-inspired-4369694/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [When I was in high school in America, I didn't see anyone who looked like me - hardly ever. I just thought that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka-chopra/when-i-was-in-high-school-in-america-i-didn-t-see-anyone-who-looked/) [Priyanka Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka-chopra/) > [“When you're a kid. When you're a kid all you do is idolize people. You look up to them, and you wanna look up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kasparoza/when-you-re-a-kid-when-you-re-a-kid-all-you-do-is-idolize-people-you/) [Chris Kasparoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kasparoza/) > [Whenever people tell me they don't know how to get inspired, I say "What's the matter with you?! I could stay in my apartment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/whenever-people-tell-me-they-don-t-know-how-to-get-inspired-i-say/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [“The old and the dead are the most rewarding people to idolize, because they know things that we don't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-ryan/the-old-and-the-dead-are-the-most-rewarding-people-to-idolize-because/) [Madeleine Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-ryan/) > [I don't want to sound pretentious or meta or anything, but I don't write until it comes to me... People know when something is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/i-don-t-want-to-sound-pretentious-or-meta-or-anything-but-i-don-t/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [We all idolize sports figures, and we see them fall from grace. You just truly never know anybody anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-eisen/we-all-idolize-sports-figures-and-we-see-them-fall-from-grace-you/) [Rich Eisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-eisen/) > [In the early days of film, fans used to idolize a whole star - they would take one star and love everything about that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-the-early-days-of-film-fans-used-to-idolize-a-whole-star-they/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [“It always worries me when I'm in a relationship with a woman I cannot idolize. Something in me just doesn't feel right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/it-always-worries-me-when-i-m-in-a-relationship-with-a-woman-i-cannot/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [You know, when you've idolized something, you put it on a shelf, lift it up, and when King Day comes out, you pull it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/you-know-when-you-ve-idolized-something-you-put-it-on-a-shelf-lift-it/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [I have felt uncomfortable having people say, "You're my idol," because I want them to idolize God. I want them to idolize somebody that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/i-have-felt-uncomfortable-having-people-say-you-re-my-idol-because-i/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [People demonize me; people idolize me; everything I say and do has been scrutinized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/people-demonize-me-people-idolize-me-everything-i-say-and-do-has-been/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I idolize my kid sister, so I get it. I understand why other people do too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/i-idolize-my-kid-sister-so-i-get-it-i-understand-why-other-people-do/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [“That creature which we idolize God justly removes from us, or embitters to us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/that-creature-which-we-idolize-god-justly-removes-from-us-or/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [When you idolize someone,emulate his example in your behaviour,action & character.This will reflect your commitment for high moral value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/when-you-idolize-someone-emulate-his-example-in-your-behaviour-action/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [It breaks my heart that some of my fans think that because they love me and they idolize me, they have to be just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-beer/it-breaks-my-heart-that-some-of-my-fans-think-that-because-they-love/) [Madison Beer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-beer/) ## More by Greg Behrendt > [Personally, when I'm picking friends, I like the ones who don't make me cry myself to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/personally-when-i-m-picking-friends-i-like-the-ones-who-don-t-make-me/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [So, I'm 34. I'm kind of becoming an adult - kind of, I guess. But I know that I am because, the other day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/so-i-m-34-i-m-kind-of-becoming-an-adult-kind-of-i-guess-but-i-know/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [Don’t be flattered that he misses you. He should miss you. You are deeply missable. However, he’s still the same person who just broke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/don-t-be-flattered-that-he-misses-you-he-should-miss-you-you-are/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [The best thing that can happen in a relationship is when you are the same person you were before the relationship started. 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The way that a haircut and a new pair of pants can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/i-do-think-that-you-can-dress-yourself-out-of-a-problem-the-way-that/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [We're taught that in life, we should try to look on the bright side. Not in this case. In this case, assume rejection first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/we-re-taught-that-in-life-we-should-try-to-look-on-the-bright-side/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [I don't have to edit myself. I get to be me, warts and all, and that's ultimately what people want, and to trust each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/i-don-t-have-to-edit-myself-i-get-to-be-me-warts-and-all-and-that-s/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [He's just not that into you if he's not asking you out. Because if he likes you, trust me, he will ask you out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/he-s-just-not-that-into-you-if-he-s-not-asking-you-out-because-if-he/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [Lying, cheating, hiding is the exact opposite of the behavior of a man who's really into you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/lying-cheating-hiding-is-the-exact-opposite-of-the-behavior-of-a-man/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [big plans require big action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/big-plans-require-big-action/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [I've never tried to pass myself off as anything more than a comedian who wrote a dating book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/i-ve-never-tried-to-pass-myself-off-as-anything-more-than-a-comedian/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [People are inspired to do remarkable things to find and be with the one they love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/people-are-inspired-to-do-remarkable-things-to-find-and-be-with-the/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) [Explore all 175 Greg Behrendt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) ## More Be inspired quotes > [It is not enough to have a talented designer; the management must be inspired too. The creative process is very disorganised; the production process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-arnault/it-is-not-enough-to-have-a-talented-designer-the-management-must-be/) [Bernard Arnault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-arnault/) > [Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man can clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/self-respect-is-the-noblest-garment-with-which-a-man-can-clothe/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [Choose To Be Inspired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/choose-to-be-inspired/) [Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/) > [I felt Michael Jackson was inspired a little bit more from the elegance of a Fred Astaire. Michael loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-ortega/i-felt-michael-jackson-was-inspired-a-little-bit-more-from-the/) [Kenny Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-ortega/) > [The nation has placed its faith in the precept that all laws should be inspired by actual needs here on earth as a basic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/the-nation-has-placed-its-faith-in-the-precept-that-all-laws-should/) [Mustafa Kemal Ataturk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/) > [I realized a long time ago that instead of being jealous you can be inspired and appreciative. It carries more energy to you... That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/i-realized-a-long-time-ago-that-instead-of-being-jealous-you-can-be/) [Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/) > [People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/people-who-aren-t-artists-often-feel-that-artists-are-inspired-but-if/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Every new generation of LGBT Americans needs to be inspired by leaders who come out — whether in Congress, the nonprofit sector, the NFL,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-romero/every-new-generation-of-lgbt-americans-needs-to-be-inspired-by/) [Anthony Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-romero/) > [I have long been a supporter of The Prince's Trust, and so when American Express asked me to launch 'Amex Be Inspired' and help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-have-long-been-a-supporter-of-the-prince-s-trust-and-so-when/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [I dont know if I feel a responsibility to encourage women, I just do! Yes, I think all of us chicks should be inspired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-bettis/i-dont-know-if-i-feel-a-responsibility-to-encourage-women-i-just-do/) [Angela Bettis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-bettis/) > [A glad zest and hopefulness might be inspired even in the most jaded and ennui-cursed, were there in our homes such simple, truthful natures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-c-boyle/a-glad-zest-and-hopefulness-might-be-inspired-even-in-the-most-jaded/) [T.C. Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-c-boyle/) > [Young people need to be inspired, told they can achieve anything they set their minds to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-stynes/young-people-need-to-be-inspired-told-they-can-achieve-anything-they/) [Jim Stynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-stynes/) > [One of my least favorite things about being even remotely recognizable is that I'm not allowed to watch in the same way anymore. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-adams/one-of-my-least-favorite-things-about-being-even-remotely/) [Amy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-adams/) > [A healthy relationship doesn't drag you down. It inspires you to be better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-healthy-relationship-doesn-t-drag-you-down-it-inspires-you-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One Body, Many Blogs is a nifty look at the mission to cyberspace that Christians, obedient to the Spirit, have undertaken! Read it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-p-shea/one-body-many-blogs-is-a-nifty-look-at-the-mission-to-cyberspace-that/) [Mark P. Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-p-shea/) [Browse all 120 Be inspired quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-inspired/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't idolize anyone if you can. 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