--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The primary concern of the human animal…" description: "\"The primary concern of the human animal is to avoid rejection and abandonment.\" — Laura Schlessinger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png" --- # The primary concern of the human animal is to avoid… ![“The primary concern of the human animal is to avoid rejection and abandonment.” quote by Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png) > “The primary concern of the human animal is to avoid rejection and abandonment.” [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People fear being rejected or abandoned, driving much of human behavior. **In simple terms:** Fear of rejection shapes actions. Key Takeaway Cultivate secure relationships and self‑worth. Themes psychology relationships fear Mood empathetic supportive Type psychological self‑help When to use this quote - therapy - team building - parenting - dating apps Key Concepts attachment theory social needs self‑esteem Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your fear of abandonment? - How can you build resilience? A Different Perspective Some fear stems from past trauma, not just present context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandonment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandonment/) [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Rejection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejection/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [“Many of us find it hard to set boundaries and defend them because we fear doing so will cause rejection or abandonment. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adelyn-birch/many-of-us-find-it-hard-to-set-boundaries-and-defend-them-because-we/) [Adelyn Birch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adelyn-birch/) > [“If you avoid the rejection, you avoid the opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-trott/if-you-avoid-the-rejection-you-avoid-the-opportunity/) Dave Trott > [“The desire to avoid rejection at all costs, to avoid confrontation and conflict, the desire to attempt to accept everything equally and to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/the-desire-to-avoid-rejection-at-all-costs-to-avoid-confrontation-and/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Folk music has always contained a concern for the human condition. And since it brings people into it from different points of view, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-travers/folk-music-has-always-contained-a-concern-for-the-human-condition-and/) [Mary Travers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-travers/) > [Ordinary human concern for human distress does not manifest itself ordinarily in the form of a gun aimed at the wallets and earnings of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/ordinary-human-concern-for-human-distress-does-not-manifest-itself/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Folk Music Has Always Contained a Concern for the Human Condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-travers/folk-music-has-always-contained-a-concern-for-the-human-condition/) [Mary Travers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-travers/) > [“Our BODIES—their health, their availability—are an unavoidable domain of concern for us as human beings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-flores/our-bodies-their-health-their-availability-are-an-unavoidable-domain/) [Fernando Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-flores/) > [“Lurking behind this connecting silence is a brooding suspicion over the extent to which the perceptual user-preferences of the human animal limit and distort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-paterson/lurking-behind-this-connecting-silence-is-a-brooding-suspicion-over/) [Don Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-paterson/) > [“The human animal needs meaning as well as food and air and sex and water. The sense that life is meaningless is at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-moss/the-human-animal-needs-meaning-as-well-as-food-and-air-and-sex-and/) [Robert Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-moss/) > [ The human animal, like others, is adapted to a certain amount of struggle for life \[and\] the mere absence of effort from his life… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-human-animal-like-others-is-adapted-to-a-certain-amount-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The human animal is adapted to, and apparently can thrive on, an extraordinary range of different diets, but the Western diet, however you define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/the-human-animal-is-adapted-to-and-apparently-can-thrive-on-an/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [Clothes don't make the man, but they make all of him except his hands and face during business hours, and that's a pretty considerable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horace-lorimer/clothes-don-t-make-the-man-but-they-make-all-of-him-except-his-hands/) [George Horace Lorimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horace-lorimer/) > [ “The \[human\] animal cannot cope with \[dense confinement\]; indeed, it is programmed to resist it. It must resist it, in the interest of survival.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-livingston-from-rogue-primate-an-investigation-into-human-domestication/the-human-animal-cannot-cope-with-dense-confinement-indeed-it-is/) John Livingston, from "Rogue Primate: An Investigation Into Human Domestication > [There's a spiritual bond that connects all Souls: human, animal, and lower forms of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-klemp/there-s-a-spiritual-bond-that-connects-all-souls-human-animal-and/) [Harold Klemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-klemp/) > [The human animal originally came from out-of-doors. When spring begins to move in his bones, he just must get out again. Moreover, as civilization,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/the-human-animal-originally-came-from-out-of-doors-when-spring-begins/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) ## More by Laura Schlessinger > [You've touched people and known it. You've touched people and never may know it. Either way, you have something to give. It is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/you-ve-touched-people-and-known-it-you-ve-touched-people-and-never/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [I'm not cynical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/i-m-not-cynical/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [A woman should always be more concerned with standing up for what is right than making sure everyone 'likes' her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/a-woman-should-always-be-more-concerned-with-standing-up-for-what-is/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [There's no point dating a guy who can't support a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/there-s-no-point-dating-a-guy-who-can-t-support-a-family/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [There's no battered woman alive who didn't know in advance that the man was bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/there-s-no-battered-woman-alive-who-didn-t-know-in-advance-that-the/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [If there's an award for best mother-in-law in the universe, in the future, when my son gets married, I will win that award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/if-there-s-an-award-for-best-mother-in-law-in-the-universe-in-the/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Your mother doesn't own you. Your father doesn't own you. You own you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/your-mother-doesn-t-own-you-your-father-doesn-t-own-you-you-own-you/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [The path to solid, supportive, healthy relationships, self-respect, and a quality life starts with the usually painful decision to do the Right Thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-path-to-solid-supportive-healthy-relationships-self-respect-and-a/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [My sister is not a public person, so I don't think it's right to discuss her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/my-sister-is-not-a-public-person-so-i-don-t-think-it-s-right-to/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [The meaning of your life comes through your obligations to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-meaning-of-your-life-comes-through-your-obligations-to-others/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [I'm so happy, I can hardly spit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/i-m-so-happy-i-can-hardly-spit/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Make believe I'm right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/make-believe-i-m-right/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Everything I say is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/everything-i-say-is-true/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Never sell your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/never-sell-your-soul/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) [Explore all 214 Laura Schlessinger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) ## More Abandonment quotes > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [I don't believe in fate or destiny. I believe in various degrees of hatred, paranoia, and abandonment. However much of that gets heaped upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-don-t-believe-in-fate-or-destiny-i-believe-in-various-degrees-of/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished a word that for them has no sense but abandoned; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/in-the-eyes-of-those-lovers-of-perfection-a-work-is-never-finished-a/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [“Sometimes people walk away from love because it is so beautiful that it terrifies them. Sometimes they leave because the connection shines a bright…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-brown/sometimes-people-walk-away-from-love-because-it-is-so-beautiful-that/) [Jeff Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-brown/) > [Modern societies accepted the treasures and the power offered them by science. But they have not accepted - they have scarcely even heard -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-monod/modern-societies-accepted-the-treasures-and-the-power-offered-them-by/) [Jacques Monod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-monod/) > [Judaism is absolutely incompatible with the abandonment of the Torah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-schechter/judaism-is-absolutely-incompatible-with-the-abandonment-of-the-torah/) [Solomon Schechter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-schechter/) > [“Abandonment is ugly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-moore/abandonment-is-ugly/) [Michelle Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-moore/) > [In our culture of constant access and nonstop media, nothing feels more like a curse from God than time in the wilderness. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-martin/in-our-culture-of-constant-access-and-nonstop-media-nothing-feels/) [Jonathan Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-martin/) > [“When you give everything, you have nothing to lose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mcgahan/when-you-give-everything-you-have-nothing-to-lose/) [Kate McGahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mcgahan/) > [The only thing worse than being abandoned, is not being worthy of an explanation. It hurts to let go... but the feeling you're falling..…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joryneville/the-only-thing-worse-than-being-abandoned-is-not-being-worthy-of-an/) JoryNeville > [“I am not so different in my history of abandonment from anyone else after all. We have all been split away from each other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-griffin/i-am-not-so-different-in-my-history-of-abandonment-from-anyone-else/) [Susan Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-griffin/) > [“The introduction to horrors so young impressed on me just how helpless and vulnerable I was. Parents are supposed to empower their children to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-enevoldsen/the-introduction-to-horrors-so-young-impressed-on-me-just-how/) [Christina Enevoldsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-enevoldsen/) > [Heartbreak has an archetypal core, all heartbroken individuals suffer from the same kind of torture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginette-paris/heartbreak-has-an-archetypal-core-all-heartbroken-individuals-suffer/) Ginette Paris > [“Lonely Balcony The deterioration brought by weariness was visible. Its burden of abandonment can be perceived at a glance. The balcony ache with longings.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iqra-iqbal/lonely-balcony-the-deterioration-brought-by-weariness-was-visible-its/) [iqra iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iqra-iqbal/) > [God causes us to promise in time of peace what He exacts from us in time of war; He enables us to make our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-marie-bouvier-de-la-motte-guyon/god-causes-us-to-promise-in-time-of-peace-what-he-exacts-from-us-in/) [Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte Guyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-marie-bouvier-de-la-motte-guyon/) [Browse all 348 Abandonment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandonment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The primary concern of the human animal is to avoid rejection and abandonment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laura Schlessinger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal-is-to-avoid-rejection-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abandonment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal-is-to-avoid-rejection-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/laura-schlessinger-1708_abandonment_the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal_2419387.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The primary concern of the human animal is to avoid rejection and abandonment.” — Laura Schlessinger", "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": "Laura Schlessinger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The primary concern of the human...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal-is-to-avoid-rejection-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-primary-concern-of-the-human-animal-is-to-avoid-rejection-and/#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 } } ] } ```