--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But you give your thoughts too much…" description: "\"“But you give your thoughts too much power, Aza. Thoughts are only thoughts. They are not you. You do belong to yourself, even when your thoughts don’t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/john-green-12_too-much-power_but-you-give-your-thoughts-too-much-powe_2286483.jpg" --- # But you give your thoughts too much power, Aza. Thoughts… ![“But you give your thoughts too much power, Aza. Thoughts are only thoughts. They are not you. You do belong to yourself, even when your thoughts don’t.” quote by John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/john-green-12_too-much-power_but-you-give-your-thoughts-too-much-powe_2286483.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/john-green-12_too-much-power_but-you-give-your-thoughts-too-much-powe_2286483.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/john-green-12_too-much-power_but-you-give-your-thoughts-too-much-powe_2286483.jpg) > ““But you give your thoughts too much power, Aza. Thoughts are only thoughts. They are not you. You do belong to yourself, even when your thoughts don’t.”” [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thoughts are not identity; they can be observed and let go without self-attachment. **In simple terms:** Thoughts aren’t you; you can detach. Key Takeaway Practice observing thoughts without ownership. Themes mindfulness self-awareness psychology Mood reflective calm Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - therapy sessions - meditation practice - stressful decision making - creative writing Key Concepts cognitive detachment self-concept mental health Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts dominate your day? - How can you separate self from thought? A Different Perspective Thoughts can dominate if not managed; detachment requires practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aza Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aza-thoughts-5356497/) [Belong Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belong-thoughts-3554621/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thoughts Belong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-belong-3554620/) [Thoughts Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-power-407727/) [Thoughts Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-thoughts/) [Too much power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much-power/) ## Related quotes > [“Thoughts are only thoughts.They are not you, you belong to yourself even when your thoughts don't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/thoughts-are-only-thoughts-they-are-not-you-you-belong-to-yourself/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“You do belong to yourself, even when your thoughts don't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/you-do-belong-to-yourself-even-when-your-thoughts-don-t/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/but-most-important-of-all-she-explained-that-it-was-all-right-to-say/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [Thoughts have power; thoughts are energy. And you can make your world or break it by your own thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-l-taylor/thoughts-have-power-thoughts-are-energy-and-you-can-make-your-world/) [Susan L. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-l-taylor/) > [“Your thoughts have the power to control; our being, our emotions, and the way we view the world that surrounds us. If you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-r-lemieux/your-thoughts-have-the-power-to-control-our-being-our-emotions-and/) [Martin R. Lemieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-r-lemieux/) > [You have the power to change your thoughts and your thoughts have the power to change your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-willingham/you-have-the-power-to-change-your-thoughts-and-your-thoughts-have-the/) [Ron Willingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-willingham/) > [The only thing worried thoughts have the power to change is what the next thing will be for you to worry over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/the-only-thing-worried-thoughts-have-the-power-to-change-is-what-the/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) > [Ideals are thoughts. So long as they exist merely as thoughts, the power in them remains ineffective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ideals-are-thoughts-so-long-as-they-exist-merely-as-thoughts-the/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“Never underestimate the power of your mind. Whether positive or negative thoughts, that power will reveal itself in a matter of time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corletia-dunlap-banks/never-underestimate-the-power-of-your-mind-whether-positive-or/) [Corletia Dunlap Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corletia-dunlap-banks/) > [We can choose power-enhancing thoughts, not power-draining thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/we-can-choose-power-enhancing-thoughts-not-power-draining-thoughts/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Do not let your negative thoughts have power over you because those thoughts will end up controlling your life. No one can live a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/do-not-let-your-negative-thoughts-have-power-over-you-because-those/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) > [We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha/we-are-what-we-think-all-that-we-are-arises-with-our-thoughts-with/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha/) > [What are your thoughts?' 'My thoughts?' I replied, before I even realized what I was saying. 'My thoughts created my world.' Mac sat up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-mccafferty/what-are-your-thoughts-my-thoughts-i-replied-before-i-even-realized/) [Megan McCafferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-mccafferty/) > [I believe your thoughts are your thoughts, but are you a human being in front of the camera, or an actor? They are two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-lloyd/i-believe-your-thoughts-are-your-thoughts-but-are-you-a-human-being/) [Harry Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-lloyd/) > [Sometimes when I generalize, I am saying, 'Let's pretend I am God,' and of course the other person argues that point endlessly. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/sometimes-when-i-generalize-i-am-saying-let-s-pretend-i-am-god-and-of/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) ## More by John Green > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“I just want to stay away from people and read books and think”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-just-want-to-stay-away-from-people-and-read-books-and-think/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [She smiled with all the delight of a kid on Christmas morning and said, "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/she-smiled-with-all-the-delight-of-a-kid-on-christmas-morning-and/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [A Margo for each of us--and each more mirror than window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/a-margo-for-each-of-us-and-each-more-mirror-than-window/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“No one ever says good-bye unless they want to see you again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/no-one-ever-says-good-bye-unless-they-want-to-see-you-again/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Neither novels or their readers benefit from any attempts to divine whether any facts hide inside a story. Such efforts attack the very idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/neither-novels-or-their-readers-benefit-from-any-attempts-to-divine/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Traffic's not too bad on Sheridan, and I'm cornering the car like it's the Indy 500, and we're listening to my favorite NMH song,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/traffic-s-not-too-bad-on-sheridan-and-i-m-cornering-the-car-like-it-s/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Praise God for good nurses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/praise-god-for-good-nurses/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Nothing has ever looked like that ever in all of human history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/nothing-has-ever-looked-like-that-ever-in-all-of-human-history/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“said to him quietly, as if I couldn’t hear or something. Dad was about to respond but I interrupted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/said-to-him-quietly-as-if-i-couldn-t-hear-or-something-dad-was-about/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I believe humans have souls, and I believe in the conservation of souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-believe-humans-have-souls-and-i-believe-in-the-conservation-of-souls/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“He was hot. A nonhotboy stares at you relentlessly and it is, at best, awkward and, at worst, a form of assault. But a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/he-was-hot-a-nonhotboy-stares-at-you-relentlessly-and-it-is-at-best/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I think if you keep the box closed long enough you do kill the cat, actually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-if-you-keep-the-box-closed-long-enough-you-do-kill-the-cat/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia. (...) You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/imagining-the-future-is-a-kind-of-nostalgia-you-spend-your-whole-life/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) [Explore all 3,614 John Green quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More Too much power quotes > [“We have made some collective mistakes as a species, it’s true – invested too much power in things we can’t see, let alone control.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-reynolds/we-have-made-some-collective-mistakes-as-a-species-it-s-true-invested/) [Alastair Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-reynolds/) > [“Too much power. Too much. Even the Blood weren’t meant to wield this much power. Even Witch had never controlled this much power. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bishop/too-much-power-too-much-even-the-blood-weren-t-meant-to-wield-this/) [Anne Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bishop/) > [A wise man once sat in the audience and cracked a joke. All laughed like crazy. After a moment, he cracked the same joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/a-wise-man-once-sat-in-the-audience-and-cracked-a-joke-all-laughed/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I'm seeing too much power being concentrated in the executive branch, and so our system of government is really in jeopardy, and more importantly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-kasparian/i-m-seeing-too-much-power-being-concentrated-in-the-executive-branch/) [Ana Kasparian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-kasparian/) > [“You'll get through this. The way I see it, young women give mistakes too much power. It's not our mistakes that bring us down,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ina-zajac/you-ll-get-through-this-the-way-i-see-it-young-women-give-mistakes/) [Ina Zajac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ina-zajac/) > [You certainly never know when you're reading a script if it might be your last. But I'm not afraid, because this experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-wayne-callies/you-certainly-never-know-when-you-re-reading-a-script-if-it-might-be/) [Sarah Wayne Callies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-wayne-callies/) > [“I worked, long ago, in New York City, in construction, like many young men of the Mohawk Nation. I found that whites were often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anton-wilson/i-worked-long-ago-in-new-york-city-in-construction-like-many-young/) [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) > [You see the natural progression of what happens when the executive gets power and then a new executive comes in. The new executive doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gibney/you-see-the-natural-progression-of-what-happens-when-the-executive/) [Alex Gibney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gibney/) > [“Jesus Christ graced earth’s guilty sod to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice and fulfill every requirement of the Law. He shed His blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/jesus-christ-graced-earth-s-guilty-sod-to-offer-himself-as-the/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [“the egalitarian lifestyles of hunter-gatherers exist because the individuals care a lot about status. Individuals in these societies end up roughly equal because everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bloom/the-egalitarian-lifestyles-of-hunter-gatherers-exist-because-the/) [Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bloom/) > [“Knowledge is power but too much power tends to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidy-sidique/knowledge-is-power-but-too-much-power-tends-to-corrupt-the-minds-of/) [Sidy Sidique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidy-sidique/) > [“Most times he knew there was no hope for Arjuro and Gargarin and Lirah and De Lancey. Too much pain in the past and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/most-times-he-knew-there-was-no-hope-for-arjuro-and-gargarin-and/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [Wealth is a form of power in our society. With great power comes great responsibility. 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You've given your enemies too much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-your-enemies-words-has-the-power-to-make-you-hate-yourself-or-make/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) [Browse all 88 Too much power quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much-power/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But you give your thoughts too much power, Aza. Thoughts are only thoughts. They are not you. 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