--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt…" description: "\"Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.\" — Joe Paterno" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg" --- # Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you… ![“Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.” quote by Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg) > “Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.” [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Publicity can be harmful if one internalizes it; otherwise it is harmless. **In simple terms:** Publicity hurts only if you let it. Key Takeaway Guard your mind against harmful narratives. Themes media influence selfcontrol Mood critical analytical Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - social media - celebrity - news cycles Key Concepts psychology reputation impact Questions to Reflect On - How do you filter external opinions? - When can publicity be useful? A Different Perspective Not all publicity is negative; some can be beneficial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doesn Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doesn-hurt/) [Hurt U](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt-u/) [Like Poison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-poison-452627/) [Poison Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poison-doesn-5671335/) [Publicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publicity/) [Publicity Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publicity-like-701800/) ## Related quotes > [I'm going to speak the truth when I'm asked about it. This isn't for look. This isn't for publicity or anything like that. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-kaepernick/i-m-going-to-speak-the-truth-when-i-m-asked-about-it-this-isn-t-for/) [Colin Kaepernick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-kaepernick/) > [I don't do things to try and get publicity or anything like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-don-t-do-things-to-try-and-get-publicity-or-anything-like-that/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [Publicity is like eating peanuts. Once you start you can’t stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/publicity-is-like-eating-peanuts-once-you-start-you-can-t-stop/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Now, there is no business like show business, and there is no publicity like word of mouth. What is word of mouth, you may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristoffer-polaha/now-there-is-no-business-like-show-business-and-there-is-no-publicity/) [Kristoffer Polaha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristoffer-polaha/) > [A second chance doesn't hurt until someone ruins it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calixte-fequiere/a-second-chance-doesn-t-hurt-until-someone-ruins-it/) [Calixte Fequiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calixte-fequiere/) > [I don't need you in my life. You've proved to me you're not worth my time...but I do hope you realize it's killing me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skoolboi/i-don-t-need-you-in-my-life-you-ve-proved-to-me-you-re-not-worth-my/) [Skoolboi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skoolboi/) > [Love doesn't hurt us, its the people we fall in love with that do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/love-doesn-t-hurt-us-its-the-people-we-fall-in-love-with-that-do/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [The truth doesn't hurt unless it ought to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/the-truth-doesn-t-hurt-unless-it-ought-to/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [“It's ok to be friends with old enemies, but never be friends with someone who claims to be your well-wisher but disrespects you. Avoid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anupam-s-shlok/it-s-ok-to-be-friends-with-old-enemies-but-never-be-friends-with/) [Anupam S Shlok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anupam-s-shlok/) > [Some people are like poison, Whose only antidote is distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/some-people-are-like-poison-whose-only-antidote-is-distance/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [Chaos needs no allies, for it dwells like a poison in every one of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/chaos-needs-no-allies-for-it-dwells-like-a-poison-in-every-one-of-us/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“She's like an opiate, or maybe more like a poison, whatever it is, it's running through my veins, and I'm unable to shy away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-marselas/she-s-like-an-opiate-or-maybe-more-like-a-poison-whatever-it-is-it-s/) [Erica Marselas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-marselas/) > [“You're in my blood like poison. And I'd die because of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-kittredge/you-re-in-my-blood-like-poison-and-i-d-die-because-of-you/) [Caitlin Kittredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-kittredge/) > [Avoid retirement playgrounds like poison, because that's exactly what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-goodman/avoid-retirement-playgrounds-like-poison-because-that-s-exactly-what/) [Linda Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-goodman/) > [“Fear is like a poison; it will not necessarily kill you, but the prolonged and recurring fear not only will paralyze your mind but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taskinsoy/fear-is-like-a-poison-it-will-not-necessarily-kill-you-but-the/) [John Taskinsoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taskinsoy/) ## More by Joe Paterno > [A hard-fought, well-fought, hairline-close game is as classical in sports as tragedy is in the theater. Victory is contained within defeat, and defeat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/a-hard-fought-well-fought-hairline-close-game-is-as-classical-in/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [“You're never as good as you think you are when you win; and you're never as bad as you feel when you lose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/you-re-never-as-good-as-you-think-you-are-when-you-win-and-you-re/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [I'm not as concerned about me. What's happened to me has been great. I got five great kids. Seventeen grandchildren.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/i-m-not-as-concerned-about-me-what-s-happened-to-me-has-been-great-i/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [Those kinds of things all kind of pop into your head, and you try to rectify them by looking at it, making some changes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/those-kinds-of-things-all-kind-of-pop-into-your-head-and-you-try-to/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [There has to be some self-denial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/there-has-to-be-some-self-denial/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [Keep hustling, something good will happen,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/keep-hustling-something-good-will-happen/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [It doesn't matter what people think of me. I've lived my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/it-doesn-t-matter-what-people-think-of-me-i-ve-lived-my-life/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/the-will-to-win-is-important-but-the-will-to-prepare-is-vital/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [In every life, there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/in-every-life-there-have-to-be-some-shadows-look-at-me-my-life-has/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [Don't just stand back and play the way you're coached. A great player must rise to the occasion and turn the game around on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/don-t-just-stand-back-and-play-the-way-you-re-coached-a-great-player/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [I think we played a pretty good football game overall. I think we played as well as we could at this time of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/i-think-we-played-a-pretty-good-football-game-overall-i-think-we/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [You must relate athletic experiences to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/you-must-relate-athletic-experiences-to-life/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [I don't think it's fair to 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds to say 'Show us you're a winner right now!' Winning isn't everything. I'll never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/i-don-t-think-it-s-fair-to-12-13-and-14-year-olds-to-say-show-us-you/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [There's never been a greater game than football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/there-s-never-been-a-greater-game-than-football/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [I appreciate the fans and all that kind of stuff. It's kind of fun to hear it, as just another football game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/i-appreciate-the-fans-and-all-that-kind-of-stuff-it-s-kind-of-fun-to/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) [Explore all 73 Joe Paterno quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) ## More Publicity quotes > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [A fool and his money get a lot of publicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-bernstein/a-fool-and-his-money-get-a-lot-of-publicity/) [Al Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-bernstein/) > [I am happy to exhibit, but not to put myself on exhibition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/i-am-happy-to-exhibit-but-not-to-put-myself-on-exhibition/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [“Never run advertising until the major publicity possibilities have been exploited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-ries/never-run-advertising-until-the-major-publicity-possibilities-have/) [Al Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-ries/) > [I don't write my own publicity materials, I just read 'em and give 'em the OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-darnielle/i-don-t-write-my-own-publicity-materials-i-just-read-em-and-give-em/) [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) > [“The public good must come before private interests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-public-good-must-come-before-private-interests/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I understand you always want drama leading up to the fight. You want whatever publicity you can get for it. It's more appealing for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carmouche/i-understand-you-always-want-drama-leading-up-to-the-fight-you-want/) [Liz Carmouche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carmouche/) > [Nowadays, in the contract that actors sign, you have to agree that you're going to do a certain amount of publicity-the hard part they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bridges/nowadays-in-the-contract-that-actors-sign-you-have-to-agree-that-you/) [Jeff Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bridges/) > [John Glenn craved the publicity. I think even John would admit that. When he went into politics, that became pretty obvious! He knew how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-schirra/john-glenn-craved-the-publicity-i-think-even-john-would-admit-that/) [Wally Schirra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-schirra/) > [There is such a thing as bad publicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/there-is-such-a-thing-as-bad-publicity/) [Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/) > [Ever since childhood I have scorned the commonplace limits so often set upon human ambition. Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury - to me these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/ever-since-childhood-i-have-scorned-the-commonplace-limits-so-often/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [My books have been translated into various languages and sold in other countries, but I never have any contact with the foreign publishers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-zarr/my-books-have-been-translated-into-various-languages-and-sold-in/) [Sara Zarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-zarr/) > [Extension work is not exhortation. Nor is it exploitation of the people, or advertising of an institution, or publicity work for securing students. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberty-hyde-bailey/extension-work-is-not-exhortation-nor-is-it-exploitation-of-the/) [Liberty Hyde Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberty-hyde-bailey/) > [It almost hurts me to walk down a road and have people grab my hand and ask for my autograph and not sit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/it-almost-hurts-me-to-walk-down-a-road-and-have-people-grab-my-hand/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [Please don't think that I got married on TV for publicity. I already enjoyed a huge fan following, courtesy my character in Bidaai.' Instead,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-khan/please-don-t-think-that-i-got-married-on-tv-for-publicity-i-already/) [Sara Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-khan/) [Browse all 535 Publicity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publicity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Paterno" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt-unless-you-swallow-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Publicity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt-unless-you-swallow-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/joe-paterno-9402_publicity_publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt_2342012.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.” — Joe Paterno", "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": "Joe Paterno", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Publicity is like poison; it doesn't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt-unless-you-swallow-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/publicity-is-like-poison-it-doesn-t-hurt-unless-you-swallow-it/#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 } } ] } ```