--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am a man who likes to control things…" description: "\"I am a man who likes to control things, and if I can't control them totally I will not control them at all.\" — Lars von Trier" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg" --- # I am a man who likes to control things, and if I can't… ![“I am a man who likes to control things, and if I can't control them totally I will not control them at all.” quote by Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg) > “I am a man who likes to control things, and if I can't control them totally I will not control them at all.” [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admitting a need for total control, otherwise rejecting partial control. **In simple terms:** A desire for absolute control leads to total disengagement. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of control and accept uncertainty. Themes control certainty psychology Mood reflective cautious Type psychological self-help When to use this quote - project management - personal relationships - creative processes - stress management Key Concepts existentialism behavioral science Questions to Reflect On - What areas can you safely let go? - How does relinquishing control affect wellbeing? A Different Perspective Total control is often unattainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [“Leo backed me against the door frame, his demeanor turning all 'take-no-prisoners' as he pinned me in place with his hips. His hands traced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-darlington/leo-backed-me-against-the-door-frame-his-demeanor-turning-all-take-no/) [Sarah Darlington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-darlington/) > [“Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/some-things-are-in-our-control-and-others-not-things-in-our-control/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Those things that are not within your control can often be the very things that set you free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julieanne-o-connor/those-things-that-are-not-within-your-control-can-often-be-the-very/) [Julieanne O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julieanne-o-connor/) > [Control the things you can control .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-stosur/control-the-things-you-can-control/) [Samantha Stosur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-stosur/) > [I've learned since childhood that you control only the things that you can control. Everything else, let it take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mcnabb/i-ve-learned-since-childhood-that-you-control-only-the-things-that/) [Donovan McNabb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mcnabb/) > [I think I've learned the difference between the things I can control and the things I can't control. And hopefully, by doing the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manti-te-o/i-think-i-ve-learned-the-difference-between-the-things-i-can-control/) [Manti Te'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manti-te-o/) > [Anyway, it doesn't matter how much, how often, or how closely you keep an eye on things because you can't control it. Sometimes things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/anyway-it-doesn-t-matter-how-much-how-often-or-how-closely-you-keep/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [As cliche as it sounds, I've always told myself, 'Don't worry about the things you can't control. Control the things you can control.' That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-baldwin/as-cliche-as-it-sounds-i-ve-always-told-myself-don-t-worry-about-the/) [Doug Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-baldwin/) > [In this business, you have so little control over things, but one of the things you can control is who you work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-tenney/in-this-business-you-have-so-little-control-over-things-but-one-of/) [Jon Tenney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-tenney/) > [We're always caught up in the, 'Just control the things that you can control,' and sometimes you can't control those.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-herro/we-re-always-caught-up-in-the-just-control-the-things-that-you-can/) [Tyler Herro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-herro/) > [Well I know that you worry a lot about Things you cant control There are so many things wed like to have But we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/well-i-know-that-you-worry-a-lot-about-things-you-cant-control-there/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [“I believe in not trying to control things that are out of my control or none of my business.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobe-hanson/i-believe-in-not-trying-to-control-things-that-are-out-of-my-control/) [Tobe Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobe-hanson/) > [Don't worry about things you can't control, work on the things you can control and move on there more things you can handle just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-rayshawn/don-t-worry-about-things-you-can-t-control-work-on-the-things-you-can/) [Adrian Rayshawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-rayshawn/) > [The more concerned we become over the things we can't control, the less we will do with the things we can control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-more-concerned-we-become-over-the-things-we-can-t-control-the/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/some-things-are-in-our-control-and-others-not-things-in-our-control-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More by Lars von Trier > [I'm not a woman! Let's make that very clear! Oh I don't know, maybe I am. I am an American woman. Or 65 percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-m-not-a-woman-let-s-make-that-very-clear-oh-i-don-t-know-maybe-i-am/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [I did a lot of strange things. But I am a bad Catholic that's for sure. Although I think it's difficult to believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-did-a-lot-of-strange-things-but-i-am-a-bad-catholic-that-s-for-sure/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [I think that sexuality is the part of human beings that is closest to nature. And nature is dangerous somehow, yes, if you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-think-that-sexuality-is-the-part-of-human-beings-that-is-closest-to/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [If there are some people that like the film and some people that do not, that's fine for me, because I do not intend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/if-there-are-some-people-that-like-the-film-and-some-people-that-do/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [I think that limitations are the most important part of any art form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-think-that-limitations-are-the-most-important-part-of-any-art-form/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [The risk is that you furnish the project with new suggestions to try and freshen it up; it's not always beneficial. You risk betraying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/the-risk-is-that-you-furnish-the-project-with-new-suggestions-to-try/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [Just the fact that you're working is good for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/just-the-fact-that-you-re-working-is-good-for-you/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [I had a lot of frustrations, and I was drinking far too much, and I was just trying to survive and this is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-had-a-lot-of-frustrations-and-i-was-drinking-far-too-much-and-i-was/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [That's the great thing about entering a convent: There are things that you simply can't do, so you don't have to worry about them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/that-s-the-great-thing-about-entering-a-convent-there-are-things-that/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [True values entail suffering. That’s the way we think. All in all, we tend to view melancholia as more true. We prefer music and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/true-values-entail-suffering-that-s-the-way-we-think-all-in-all-we/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [I can't tell you why I choose stuff, it's really something I don't analyse. The only thing I can say is that a film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-can-t-tell-you-why-i-choose-stuff-it-s-really-something-i-don-t/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [I sit there pouring out my woes year after year, coming up with one enormity after another about my mother and the way she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-sit-there-pouring-out-my-woes-year-after-year-coming-up-with-one/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [When I show a film at a festival, I am showing myself. Everything is at stake for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/when-i-show-a-film-at-a-festival-i-am-showing-myself-everything-is-at/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [The secret ingredient to sex is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/the-secret-ingredient-to-sex-is-love/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) > [Far be it from me to force anyone into either chess or dressage, but if you choose to do so yourself, in my opinion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/far-be-it-from-me-to-force-anyone-into-either-chess-or-dressage-but/) [Lars von Trier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) [Explore all 74 Lars von Trier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/) ## More Control quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“You can't control who loves you...you can't let someone love you anymore than you can make someone love you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/you-can-t-control-who-loves-you-you-can-t-let-someone-love-you/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [Don't think you can...know you can! You human body is the most impressive tool you'll ever own. Even if you can't control everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/don-t-think-you-can-know-you-can-you-human-body-is-the-most/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/) Thomas Miller > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-has-the-real-control-of-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Some nights I'm funny with the between-song commentary, some nights I'm not. I have no control over this. I pace the stage a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/some-nights-i-m-funny-with-the-between-song-commentary-some-nights-i/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [“Control never be a means to any practical end. It can never be a means to anything but more control… Like punk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/control-never-be-a-means-to-any-practical-end-it-can-never-be-a-means/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) [Browse all 6,032 Control quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am a man who likes to control things, and if I can't control them totally I will not control them at all.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lars von Trier" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-and-if-i-can-t-control-them/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Control" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-and-if-i-can-t-control-them/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/lars-von-trier-9105_control_i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-a_2729400.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am a man who likes to control things, and if I can't control them totally I will not control them at all.” — Lars von Trier", "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": "Lars von Trier", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-von-trier/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am a man who likes...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-and-if-i-can-t-control-them/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-von-trier/i-am-a-man-who-likes-to-control-things-and-if-i-can-t-control-them/#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 } } ] } ```