--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Give the girl an inch and she thinks…" description: "\"Give the girl an inch and she thinks she's a ruler.\" — J. A. Jance" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/j-a-jance-2-37273_arrogance_give-the-girl-an-inch-and-she-thinks-she_1326619.png" --- # Give the girl an inch and she thinks she's a ruler. ![“Give the girl an inch and she thinks she's a ruler.” quote by J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/j-a-jance-2-37273_arrogance_give-the-girl-an-inch-and-she-thinks-she_1326619.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/j-a-jance-2-37273_arrogance_give-the-girl-an-inch-and-she-thinks-she_1326619.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/j-a-jance-2-37273_arrogance_give-the-girl-an-inch-and-she-thinks-she_1326619.png) > “Give the girl an inch and she thinks she's a ruler.” [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Warns that granting small freedoms can lead to overconfidence and entitlement. **In simple terms:** Small concessions may breed arrogance. Key Takeaway Set clear boundaries. Themes power control relationships Mood cautionary analytical Type psychological ethical When to use this quote - parenting - management - politics - friendships Key Concepts authority dynamics human behavior Questions to Reflect On - When did a small concession backfire? - How do you balance generosity and authority? A Different Perspective May not apply to all personalities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ruler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruler/) [Rulers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rulers/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Poor Mary Ann! She gave the guy an inch and now he thinks he's a ruler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/poor-mary-ann-she-gave-the-guy-an-inch-and-now-he-thinks-he-s-a-ruler/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [The mob has no ruler more potent than superstition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quintus-curtius-rufus/the-mob-has-no-ruler-more-potent-than-superstition/) [Quintus Curtius Rufus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quintus-curtius-rufus/) > [(A ruler) cannot and should not keep his word when to do so would go against his interests or when the reason he pledged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-ruler-cannot-and-should-not-keep-his-word-when-to-do-so-would-go/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Of course it's not enough to be a good man to be an effective ruler and it never has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/of-course-it-s-not-enough-to-be-a-good-man-to-be-an-effective-ruler/) [George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/) > [If you want everything to be nice and straight all the time, then go live in a world made with a triungular ruler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/if-you-want-everything-to-be-nice-and-straight-all-the-time-then-go/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [A ruler must learn to persuade and not to compel... he must lay the best coffee hearth to attract the finest men... a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/a-ruler-must-learn-to-persuade-and-not-to-compel-he-must-lay-the-best/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [“Being an absolute ruler today was not as simple as people thought. At least, it was not simple if your ambitions included being an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/being-an-absolute-ruler-today-was-not-as-simple-as-people-thought-at/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [It would not be difficult to be a better ruler than I was: for I admit that I ruled badly; and even if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-queen-of-sweden/it-would-not-be-difficult-to-be-a-better-ruler-than-i-was-for-i-admit/) [Christina, Queen of Sweden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-queen-of-sweden/) > [A wise ruler should rely on what is under his own control, not on what is under the control of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-wise-ruler-should-rely-on-what-is-under-his-own-control-not-on-what/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [The worst ruler is one who cannot rule himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cato-the-elder/the-worst-ruler-is-one-who-cannot-rule-himself/) [Cato the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cato-the-elder/) > [The compass represents spirituality, no end and no beginning…the ruler represents 'tangible evidence' ... a measurable event... both coming together shall represent a Human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delonge/the-compass-represents-spirituality-no-end-and-no-beginning-the-ruler/) [Tom DeLonge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delonge/) > [Fashion as King is sometimes a very stupid ruler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fashion-as-king-is-sometimes-a-very-stupid-ruler/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a married woman, I know perfectly well what six or eight inches looks like, so it's easy to make a good estimate. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-danz/as-a-married-woman-i-know-perfectly-well-what-six-or-eight-inches/) [Cassandra Danz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-danz/) > [I plant daffodil bulbs about eight inches deep. As I mentioned before, I don't use a ruler. As a married woman, I know perfectly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-danz/i-plant-daffodil-bulbs-about-eight-inches-deep-as-i-mentioned-before/) [Cassandra Danz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-danz/) > [ “The viewpoint of the ruler is not always the viewpoint of the ruled. \[70\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-t-plaatje/the-viewpoint-of-the-ruler-is-not-always-the-viewpoint-of-the-ruled-70/) [Sol T. Plaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-t-plaatje/) ## More by J. A. Jance > [When I began writing, the words that inspired me were these: A writer is someone who has written today. If you want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/when-i-began-writing-the-words-that-inspired-me-were-these-a-writer/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [Beyond a certain point, that was all a mother could do for her children - Hang around long enough to drive them crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/beyond-a-certain-point-that-was-all-a-mother-could-do-for-her/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [Jealousy is an emotion. It doesn't have to make sense. In fact, it usually doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/jealousy-is-an-emotion-it-doesn-t-have-to-make-sense-in-fact-it/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [I play golf - badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/i-play-golf-badly/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [A writer is someone who has written something today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/a-writer-is-someone-who-has-written-something-today/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [When you have an important story to tell, the words you need seem to come of their own accord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/when-you-have-an-important-story-to-tell-the-words-you-need-seem-to/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [I now can be sure that, once I start writing a book, I'll be able to finish it. I've also become more assured about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/i-now-can-be-sure-that-once-i-start-writing-a-book-i-ll-be-able-to/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [There are old riders and bold riders, but no old bold riders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/there-are-old-riders-and-bold-riders-but-no-old-bold-riders/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [my major form of exercise is jumping to conclusions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/my-major-form-of-exercise-is-jumping-to-conclusions/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [As I get older, the things I'm sure of become fewer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/as-i-get-older-the-things-i-m-sure-of-become-fewer/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) > [I've been writing for a long time. I sat down to write my first novel in the middle of March of 1982.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-jance-2/i-ve-been-writing-for-a-long-time-i-sat-down-to-write-my-first-novel/) [J. A. Jance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) [Explore all 12 J. A. Jance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-jance-2/) ## More Arrogance quotes > [Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this \[step by step, from humans to apes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us-with-so-extraordinary-a/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [wishes for sons by Lucille Clifton i wish them cramps. i wish them a strange town and the last tampon. I wish them no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/wishes-for-sons-by-lucille-clifton-i-wish-them-cramps-i-wish-them-a/) [Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/) > [The structure of the Swiss ruling class is rock-hard, and unchanged since the time of Napoleon. They sit on their mountains and lecture the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ziegler/the-structure-of-the-swiss-ruling-class-is-rock-hard-and-unchanged/) [Jean Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ziegler/) > [What you see of me on TV and all of that, that is me - that's truly how I feel. I'm just multiplying it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-corbin/what-you-see-of-me-on-tv-and-all-of-that-that-is-me-that-s-truly-how/) [Baron Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-corbin/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Never mistake someones quietness for their arrogance as you can surely miss out on an awsome personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-mistake-someones-quietness-for-their-arrogance-as-you-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“I was consumed by a selfishness and arrogance that I didn't dare let go of until I found a new persona to hide behind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-koomson/i-was-consumed-by-a-selfishness-and-arrogance-that-i-didn-t-dare-let/) [Dorothy Koomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-koomson/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-mannes/timing-and-arrogance-are-decisive-factors-in-the-successful-use-of/) [Marya Mannes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-mannes/) > [Some say work smarter, not harder, but the wisest are both. Whether you're more of a hard worker or a smart worker, if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colby-tatem/some-say-work-smarter-not-harder-but-the-wisest-are-both-whether-you/) [Colby Tatem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colby-tatem/) > [Closed some doors, not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they no longer lead somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenz-jeffrey/closed-some-doors-not-because-of-pride-incapacity-or-arrogance-but/) [Frenz Jeffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenz-jeffrey/) > [My success isn't a result of arrogance - it's a result of belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/my-success-isn-t-a-result-of-arrogance-it-s-a-result-of-belief/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [“...a great man who is vicious will only be a great doer of evil, and a rich man who is not liberal will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cervantes/a-great-man-who-is-vicious-will-only-be-a-great-doer-of-evil-and-a/) Miguel Cervantes > [An increasing number of people are growing uncomfortable with the gulf between the world's rich and the poor. Ostentatiously splashing your money around simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalle-lasn/an-increasing-number-of-people-are-growing-uncomfortable-with-the/) [Kalle Lasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalle-lasn/) [Browse all 1,418 Arrogance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Give the girl an inch and she thinks she's a ruler.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. A. 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