--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can be pitiful, or you can be…" description: "\"You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both\" — Joyce Meyer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg" --- # You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can't… ![“You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both” quote by Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg) > “You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both” [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One can be either pitiful or powerful, but not both simultaneously. **In simple terms:** You can’t be both pitiful and powerful. Key Takeaway Choose empowerment over self‑pity. Themes empowerment self‑image choice Mood inspirational assertive Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - leadership coaching - mindset shifts Key Concepts psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What fuels your sense of power? - Can you transform pitiful feelings into strength? A Different Perspective Power may require confronting vulnerability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pitiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitiful/) [Pitiful Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitiful-powerful-1164050/) [Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful/) ## Related quotes > [We've all got our own brand of problems. You can be pitiful or powerful. Take your pick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/we-ve-all-got-our-own-brand-of-problems-you-can-be-pitiful-or/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [You can't be pitiful AND powerful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/you-can-t-be-pitiful-and-powerful/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“How pathetic are you? You’re actually ticked off that your stalker is no longer skulking around in the shadows. That’s just…pitiful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belle-aurora/how-pathetic-are-you-you-re-actually-ticked-off-that-your-stalker-is/) [Belle Aurora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belle-aurora/) > [The current anger at the march of turbines and pylons across the hills of Britain is not from nimbys. Government money has lubricated most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jenkins/the-current-anger-at-the-march-of-turbines-and-pylons-across-the/) [Simon Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jenkins/) > [Pessimists are usually kind. The gay, bubbling over, have no time for the pitiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-faolain/pessimists-are-usually-kind-the-gay-bubbling-over-have-no-time-for/) [Sean O Faolain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-faolain/) > [There is a certain delicacy which in yielding conquers; and with a pitiful look makes one find cause to crave help one's self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/there-is-a-certain-delicacy-which-in-yielding-conquers-and-with-a/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Defeats are always pitiful. Victories are always last resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/defeats-are-always-pitiful-victories-are-always-last-resources/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [I know so well what becomes of unmarried women who aren't prepared to occupy a position. I've seen such pitiful cases in the South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/i-know-so-well-what-becomes-of-unmarried-women-who-aren-t-prepared-to/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“She perceived vaguely the pitiful corruption of the adult world; how cruel and frail it was, like a worn piece of burlap, patched with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cheever/she-perceived-vaguely-the-pitiful-corruption-of-the-adult-world-how/) [John Cheever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cheever/) > [Leaders goal: Don't be afraid of vulnerability & transparency, (without being pitiful). People respond to authenticity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-houston/leaders-goal-don-t-be-afraid-of-vulnerability-transparency-without/) [Brian Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-houston/) > [Proper prior planning prevents pitiful poor performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-meyer/proper-prior-planning-prevents-pitiful-poor-performance/) [Don Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-meyer/) > [This is the perpetual and pitiful tragedy of the practical man in practical affairs. He always begins with a flourish of contempt for what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/this-is-the-perpetual-and-pitiful-tragedy-of-the-practical-man-in/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [I think that they participated in something that was not very proper and was very pitiful, not only for the Algerian people, but also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-ben-bella/i-think-that-they-participated-in-something-that-was-not-very-proper/) [Ahmed Ben Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-ben-bella/) > [“Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-cooner/hopeless-freak-elephant-pitiful/) [Donna Cooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-cooner/) > [Who can calculate the wounds inflicted, their depth and pain, by harsh and mean words spoken in anger? How pitiful a sight is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/who-can-calculate-the-wounds-inflicted-their-depth-and-pain-by-harsh/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## More by Joyce Meyer > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [God doesn't love me any more or less because I had some work done on my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/god-doesn-t-love-me-any-more-or-less-because-i-had-some-work-done-on/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [I encourage you to be a person who is not afraid of responsibility. In meeting resistance you will build your strength. If you only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-encourage-you-to-be-a-person-who-is-not-afraid-of-responsibility-in/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Have God make a message out of your mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/have-god-make-a-message-out-of-your-mess/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Forgiveness is not a feeling - it's a decision we make because we want to do what's right before God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/forgiveness-is-not-a-feeling-it-s-a-decision-we-make-because-we-want/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [The Bible says that Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. On the job, in the grocery store,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/the-bible-says-that-christians-are-the-salt-of-the-earth-and-the/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Addictions - Run to Jesus instead of running to your addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/addictions-run-to-jesus-instead-of-running-to-your-addiction/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Don't miss out on today by living in yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/don-t-miss-out-on-today-by-living-in-yesterday/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [I never get tired of hearing the great testimonies of people whom God has touched. I pray that the changes God has done in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-never-get-tired-of-hearing-the-great-testimonies-of-people-whom-god/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [frustration, complication and misery are available in abundance, but so is God's grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/frustration-complication-and-misery-are-available-in-abundance-but-so/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [There is no power shortage in heaven, and God is never in a recession. But His grace is sufficient to meet every need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/there-is-no-power-shortage-in-heaven-and-god-is-never-in-a-recession/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Stop being tomented by everyone else's reaction to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/stop-being-tomented-by-everyone-else-s-reaction-to-you/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“… about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God…. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/about-midnight-as-paul-and-silas-were-praying-and-singing-hymns-of/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“As a Spirit-filled believer, you need to take the initiative to treat people the way you want to be treated, not the way they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/as-a-spirit-filled-believer-you-need-to-take-the-initiative-to-treat/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) [Explore all 1,221 Joyce Meyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) ## More Pitiful quotes > [Who can calculate the wounds inflicted, their depth and pain, by harsh and mean words spoken in anger? How pitiful a sight is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/who-can-calculate-the-wounds-inflicted-their-depth-and-pain-by-harsh/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [“Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-cooner/hopeless-freak-elephant-pitiful/) [Donna Cooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-cooner/) > [I think that they participated in something that was not very proper and was very pitiful, not only for the Algerian people, but also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-ben-bella/i-think-that-they-participated-in-something-that-was-not-very-proper/) [Ahmed Ben Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-ben-bella/) > [This is the perpetual and pitiful tragedy of the practical man in practical affairs. He always begins with a flourish of contempt for what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/this-is-the-perpetual-and-pitiful-tragedy-of-the-practical-man-in/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Proper prior planning prevents pitiful poor performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-meyer/proper-prior-planning-prevents-pitiful-poor-performance/) [Don Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-meyer/) > [Leaders goal: Don't be afraid of vulnerability & transparency, (without being pitiful). People respond to authenticity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-houston/leaders-goal-don-t-be-afraid-of-vulnerability-transparency-without/) [Brian Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-houston/) > [“She perceived vaguely the pitiful corruption of the adult world; how cruel and frail it was, like a worn piece of burlap, patched with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cheever/she-perceived-vaguely-the-pitiful-corruption-of-the-adult-world-how/) [John Cheever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cheever/) > [I know so well what becomes of unmarried women who aren't prepared to occupy a position. I've seen such pitiful cases in the South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/i-know-so-well-what-becomes-of-unmarried-women-who-aren-t-prepared-to/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [Defeats are always pitiful. Victories are always last resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/defeats-are-always-pitiful-victories-are-always-last-resources/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [There is a certain delicacy which in yielding conquers; and with a pitiful look makes one find cause to crave help one's self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/there-is-a-certain-delicacy-which-in-yielding-conquers-and-with-a/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Pessimists are usually kind. The gay, bubbling over, have no time for the pitiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-faolain/pessimists-are-usually-kind-the-gay-bubbling-over-have-no-time-for/) [Sean O Faolain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-faolain/) > [The current anger at the march of turbines and pylons across the hills of Britain is not from nimbys. Government money has lubricated most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jenkins/the-current-anger-at-the-march-of-turbines-and-pylons-across-the/) [Simon Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jenkins/) > [“How pathetic are you? You’re actually ticked off that your stalker is no longer skulking around in the shadows. That’s just…pitiful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belle-aurora/how-pathetic-are-you-you-re-actually-ticked-off-that-your-stalker-is/) [Belle Aurora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belle-aurora/) > [I’m not a good faster. My friends have visions of God, I have visions of hamburgers. The only time I watch the Food Channel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-m-not-a-good-faster-my-friends-have-visions-of-god-i-have-visions/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [A person moving in zero gravity feels a pitiful helplessness. One wrong move and you find yourself spinning wildly. Everyone becomes a baby again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulrich-walter/a-person-moving-in-zero-gravity-feels-a-pitiful-helplessness-one/) [Ulrich Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulrich-walter/) [Browse all 151 Pitiful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitiful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joyce Meyer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerful-but-you-can-t-be-both/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Pitiful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerful-but-you-can-t-be-both/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/joyce-meyer-123_powerful_you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerfu_892675.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both” — Joyce Meyer", "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": "Joyce Meyer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can be pitiful, or you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerful-but-you-can-t-be-both/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/you-can-be-pitiful-or-you-can-be-powerful-but-you-can-t-be-both/#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 } } ] } ```