--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just because you had every right to feel…" description: "\"Just because you had every right to feel sorry for yourself didn't mean you ever took the opportunity to do so.\" — Jodi Picoult" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg" --- # Just because you had every right to feel sorry for… ![“Just because you had every right to feel sorry for yourself didn't mean you ever took the opportunity to do so.” quote by Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg) > “Just because you had every right to feel sorry for yourself didn't mean you ever took the opportunity to do so.” [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Feeling sorry for oneself is a choice; one must actively seek opportunities to feel that way. **In simple terms:** Self‑pity is optional, not inevitable. Key Takeaway Avoid dwelling on self‑pity. Themes self‑compassion resilience agency Mood thoughtful encouraging Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - mental health - career setbacks - personal crises Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - When do you allow self‑pity? - What steps break that cycle? A Different Perspective Self‑pity can become a habit that hinders progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) ## Related quotes > [“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a dickhead. Well, I did.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/i-m-sorry-i-didn-t-mean-to-be-a-dickhead-well-i-did/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [“Sorry. Didn't mean to step on any dead toes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-mccoy/sorry-didn-t-mean-to-step-on-any-dead-toes/) [J.L. McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-mccoy/) > [I moved from Boston to Los Angeles, and took every opportunity that came along my way, trusting that God had a great plan for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianna-simone/i-moved-from-boston-to-los-angeles-and-took-every-opportunity-that/) [Gianna Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianna-simone/) > [I took every opportunity you can imagine. I played every honky-tonk talent search, every kind of Colgate Country Showdown, you name it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lainey-wilson/i-took-every-opportunity-you-can-imagine-i-played-every-honky-tonk/) [Lainey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lainey-wilson/) > [I didn't finish high school. Pursued my modeling career. I have a GED instead. I just took my opportunity and ran with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hill/i-didn-t-finish-high-school-pursued-my-modeling-career-i-have-a-ged/) [Taylor Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hill/) > [ I had an unbelievable opportunity here to try and follow in similar footsteps \[of Michael Jordan\], but in a different capacity hopefully. I took… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-had-an-unbelievable-opportunity-here-to-try-and-follow-in-similar/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [Im sorry for everyone ive ever hurt, I know how it feels to be hurt and I'm truly sorry.Im not going anywhere. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-broken/im-sorry-for-everyone-ive-ever-hurt-i-know-how-it-feels-to-be-hurt-2/) She's\_broken > [Im sorry if I ever made you cry , I'm sorry if I ever made you sad , I'm sorry if I ever made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myself/im-sorry-if-i-ever-made-you-cry-i-m-sorry-if-i-ever-made-you-sad-i-m/) Myself > [“If you want to feel sorry for yourself,” Mary continues, “then do it in a way that isn’t going to destroy other people’s lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/if-you-want-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself-mary-continues-then-do-it-in-a/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“If you want to feel sorry for yourself,then do it in a way that isn’t going to destroy other people’s lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/if-you-want-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself-then-do-it-in-a-way-that-isn-t/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [I'm sorry it didn't work out. I'm moving on. I'm sorry, its over now. The pain is gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-sorry-it-didn-t-work-out-i-m-moving-on-i-m-sorry-its-over-now-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You tell me that you need me then you go and cut me down, but wait. You tell me that you're sorry didn't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-republic/you-tell-me-that-you-need-me-then-you-go-and-cut-me-down-but-wait-you/) [One Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/one-republic/) > [“Sorry, I didn't know..." I trailed off. Shout out to all the girls who apologize too much. I feel you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emiko-jean/sorry-i-didn-t-know-i-trailed-off-shout-out-to-all-the-girls-who/) [Emiko Jean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emiko-jean/) > [Sorry, I didn't pay attention. Sorry,I couldn't read your mind. Sorry,I didn't know what were you about to do. Sorry,Sorry,Sorry. I cant predicted everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/sorry-i-didn-t-pay-attention-sorry-i-couldn-t-read-your-mind-sorry-i/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [“..:Don't be sorry if things don't work out after giving it your very best time after time. Be sorry that you didn't even try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-garcia/don-t-be-sorry-if-things-don-t-work-out-after-giving-it-your-very/) [Rafael Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-garcia/) ## More by Jodi Picoult > [You get through it, you just never get over it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-get-through-it-you-just-never-get-over-it/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Let me guess," Eric says, "You never meant for it to happen." "Hell, yes, I did. I've wanted her since you two started dating."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/let-me-guess-eric-says-you-never-meant-for-it-to-happen-hell-yes-i/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“It’s the difference between dancing along the eggshell crust of acquaintance and diving into the messy center of a relationship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-s-the-difference-between-dancing-along-the-eggshell-crust-of/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Because hate's just the flip side of love. Like heads and tails on a dime. If you don't know what it feels like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/because-hate-s-just-the-flip-side-of-love-like-heads-and-tails-on-a/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Some women are meant to change the world, while others are meant to hold it together. And then there are those of us who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/some-women-are-meant-to-change-the-world-while-others-are-meant-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [I love feeling loved. I don't love knowing that I will always come in second place. I love the fact that at least sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-love-feeling-loved-i-don-t-love-knowing-that-i-will-always-come-in/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Music is the language of memory”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/music-is-the-language-of-memory/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [But there is a different between mending someone who's broken and finding someone who makes you complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/but-there-is-a-different-between-mending-someone-who-s-broken-and/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“sometimes words are not big enough to contain all the feelings you are trying to pour into them. My”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/sometimes-words-are-not-big-enough-to-contain-all-the-feelings-you/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“The age wasn't as important as the milestones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-age-wasn-t-as-important-as-the-milestones/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [The night is falling down around us. Meteors rain like fireworks, quick rips in the seam of the dark... Every second, another streak of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-night-is-falling-down-around-us-meteors-rain-like-fireworks-quick/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“When she had packed all the artifacts that made up their personal history into liquor store boxes, the house became strictly a feminine place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/when-she-had-packed-all-the-artifacts-that-made-up-their-personal/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/maybe-who-we-are-isn-t-so-much-about-what-we-do-but-rather-what-we-re/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Here's what I hadn't realized : the mother you haven't seen for almost 36 years isn't your mother. She is a stranger. Sharing DNA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/here-s-what-i-hadn-t-realized-the-mother-you-haven-t-seen-for-almost/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [My brother believed in all sorts of mythical creatures: pixies, dragons, werewolves, honest men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/my-brother-believed-in-all-sorts-of-mythical-creatures-pixies-dragons/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) [Explore all 2,062 Jodi Picoult quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## More Feel sorry quotes > [“People feel sorry for your pain, and pain just is. It doesn’t only happen when you’re worthy of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-butler/people-feel-sorry-for-your-pain-and-pain-just-is-it-doesn-t-only/) [Erin Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-butler/) > [I'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/if-it-s-me-against-48-i-feel-sorry-for-the-48/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [It's core to my beliefs now: Sometimes in being given a challenge, you're actually being given a real opportunity, and a lot of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-graham/it-s-core-to-my-beliefs-now-sometimes-in-being-given-a-challenge-you/) [Lauren Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-graham/) > [Don't feel sorry because my life is over. Be happy that it happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-burns/don-t-feel-sorry-because-my-life-is-over-be-happy-that-it-happened/) [Pat Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-burns/) > [I really feel sorry for kids who aren't interested in history - recent history, either, because it is this that made us what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-humphries/i-really-feel-sorry-for-kids-who-aren-t-interested-in-history-recent/) [Barry Humphries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-humphries/) > [I can and will say that I feel sorry for myself, however I'm just locking the truth behind me. I don't feel sorry for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naquitta-faith/i-can-and-will-say-that-i-feel-sorry-for-myself-however-i-m-just/) [Naquitta Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naquitta-faith/) > [For the first time in my life I actually feel sorry for Carol. I'm only seventeen years old, and I already know something she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/for-the-first-time-in-my-life-i-actually-feel-sorry-for-carol-i-m/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [“You must first feel sorry for your sins, to seek the free gift of grace of salvation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-must-first-feel-sorry-for-your-sins-to-seek-the-free-gift-of/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [You don't get there the easy way. If you feel sorry for yourself, and you let yourself go down, you will drown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/you-don-t-get-there-the-easy-way-if-you-feel-sorry-for-yourself-and/) [Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/) > [“Feel sorry for anyone who thinks what they think is right should be some universal law”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/feel-sorry-for-anyone-who-thinks-what-they-think-is-right-should-be/) [Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/) > [Ifelt today that… she is only for me but, em late she is not for me. I was for her when she was loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saami-saham/ifelt-today-that-she-is-only-for-me-but-em-late-she-is-not-for-me-i/) [Saami Saham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saami-saham/) > [So you're probably looking at this and making fun of my outfit, right? Anyway here's all you really need to know about today; if...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-davis/so-you-re-probably-looking-at-this-and-making-fun-of-my-outfit-right/) [Brooke Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-davis/) > [I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-ings/i-don-t-want-anybody-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Danny Ings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-ings/) > [“Judge me if you must, but keep in mind how very little pleasure I could have possibly derived from a one-thrust sex session, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-madison/judge-me-if-you-must-but-keep-in-mind-how-very-little-pleasure-i/) [Kate Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-madison/) Browse all 434 Feel sorry quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just because you had every right to feel sorry for yourself didn't mean you ever took the opportunity to do so.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jodi Picoult" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself-didn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Feel sorry" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself-didn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/jodi-picoult-45_feel-sorry_just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel_2909329.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just because you had every right to feel sorry for yourself didn't mean you ever took the opportunity to do…” — Jodi Picoult", "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": "Jodi Picoult", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Just because you had every right...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself-didn-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/just-because-you-had-every-right-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself-didn-t/#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 } } ] } ```