---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to…"
description: "\"“We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to ourselves, preserving that preciously safe space around us, denying others entry. We make it painful for others so..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg"
---

#  We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to ourselves, preserving…

![“We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to ourselves, preserving that preciously safe space around us, denying others entry. We make it painful for others so they won’t think about invading it. We make ourselves invisible or unreceptive so they won’t consider trying. I’ve watched you do it for a year…” quote by Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg)

> ““We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to ourselves, preserving that preciously safe space around us, denying others entry. We make it painful for others so they won’t think about invading it. We make ourselves invisible or unreceptive so they won’t consider trying. I’ve watched you do it for a year. But we do this for different reasons. You do it so that others can’t hurt you. I do it so that I can’t hurt others.””

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People protect themselves by creating emotional barriers, either to avoid being hurt or to avoid hurting others.

**In simple terms:** People build walls to protect themselves and others.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and balance self‑protection with openness.

Themes

psychology relationships boundaries

Mood

reflective empathetic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- family interactions

Key Concepts

self‑preservation emotional defense altruism

Questions to Reflect On

- How do your walls affect your connections?
- Can you safely lower them?

A Different Perspective

Boundaries can become isolating if overused.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Hurt Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt-others/) [Safe space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-space/)

## Related quotes

> [One of the most incredible and important things about the theater is that we're creating a safe space for all feelings, but especially, ugly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branden-jacobs-jenkins/one-of-the-most-incredible-and-important-things-about-the-theater-is/)

[Branden Jacobs-Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branden-jacobs-jenkins/)

> [When I came into stand-up, I found a certain safe space of intellectualism, of camaraderie, of excellence that really has always been natural to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/when-i-came-into-stand-up-i-found-a-certain-safe-space-of/)

[Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/)

> [The theater should always be a safe space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lin-manuel-miranda/the-theater-should-always-be-a-safe-space/)

[Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lin-manuel-miranda/)

> [Social media is not a safe space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarana-burke/social-media-is-not-a-safe-space/)

[Tarana Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarana-burke/)

> [“I sometimes sit on my roof. Not to be closer to god. To be further from y'all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darnell-lamont-walker/i-sometimes-sit-on-my-roof-not-to-be-closer-to-god-to-be-further-from/)

[Darnell Lamont Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darnell-lamont-walker/)

> [“It isn't enough that the bad guy is prevented from doing his bad deeds; he must suffer as much as possible. It is as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-e-thomas/it-isn-t-enough-that-the-bad-guy-is-prevented-from-doing-his-bad/)

[M.E. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-e-thomas/)

> [Programs that encourage mentorship, workshops that teach women how to self advocate, and even employee resource groups that are focused on women in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belinda-johnson/programs-that-encourage-mentorship-workshops-that-teach-women-how-to/)

[Belinda Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belinda-johnson/)

> [Showing variety in representation in casting is super important, it gives minorities a platform and I think it definitely creates a safe space for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/showing-variety-in-representation-in-casting-is-super-important-it/)

[Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/)

> [If you're my woman, you're somebody I give emotions to that I don't give to nobody else. You're my safe space. I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-faiyaz/if-you-re-my-woman-you-re-somebody-i-give-emotions-to-that-i-don-t/)

[Brent Faiyaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-faiyaz/)

> [“As we scatter kindness, we help to create a safe space where we can openly share the gospel with others. We get to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-ehman/as-we-scatter-kindness-we-help-to-create-a-safe-space-where-we-can/)

[Karen Ehman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-ehman/)

> [Far too many people believe that they are owed some kind of 'safe space' from opposing ideas, and the fact is, that just isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/far-too-many-people-believe-that-they-are-owed-some-kind-of-safe/)

[Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/)

> [I think there's an aspect of my soul, of my personality, that's very suited to directing. I like being in the room with actors;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-wolfe/i-think-there-s-an-aspect-of-my-soul-of-my-personality-that-s-very/)

[George C. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-wolfe/)

> [The young girls of color that first encountered the 'me too' movement in community centers and classrooms and church basements were there not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarana-burke/the-young-girls-of-color-that-first-encountered-the-me-too-movement/)

[Tarana Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarana-burke/)

> [Going to Columbia, the first thing I learned was 'safe space.' Every problem, they explained us, is because of white men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-yeon-mi/going-to-columbia-the-first-thing-i-learned-was-safe-space-every/)

[Park Yeon-mi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-yeon-mi/)

> [“the ball, and where your safe space will be. Finally, before you receive the ball, you should know what you are going to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-latham/the-ball-and-where-your-safe-space-will-be-finally-before-you-receive/)

Andrew Latham

## More by Laury Falter

> [“What happens to someone isn’t a reflection of who they are. Who you are is made up of your personality, willpower, motivations, dreams. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/what-happens-to-someone-isn-t-a-reflection-of-who-they-are-who-you/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“Love can't begin to describe how I feel about you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/love-can-t-begin-to-describe-how-i-feel-about-you/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“Jocelyn,” said Vinnia, “you are a Weatherford. Being one comes with certain responsibilities. One of those is not falling in love with the enemy.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/jocelyn-said-vinnia-you-are-a-weatherford-being-one-comes-with/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“When all else fails…everyone is gagging…and the stove is on fire…I read the recipe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/when-all-else-fails-everyone-is-gagging-and-the-stove-is-on-fire-i/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“Sometimes it’s more frightening to be the messenger of bad news than it is to simply avoid delivering the message at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/sometimes-it-s-more-frightening-to-be-the-messenger-of-bad-news-than/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“I'll see you soon," he whispered, the lump in his throat rising again to jar the release of his sigh. He swallowed once more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/i-ll-see-you-soon-he-whispered-the-lump-in-his-throat-rising-again-to/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“…Highest Priority… …T1L2 Virus… …Find and retrieve…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/highest-priority-t1l2-virus-find-and-retrieve/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“Hmm. If it’s ‘bout classes rememba that ya won’t care in ten years if ya miss a question or two; if it’s ‘bout friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/hmm-if-it-s-bout-classes-rememba-that-ya-won-t-care-in-ten-years-if/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“He broke into a slight smile. “Morning.” “Morning,” I said, noticing neither of us added ‘good’ to the greeting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/he-broke-into-a-slight-smile-morning-morning-i-said-noticing-neither/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“It will always be yes..." I whispered, lightly kissing his lips... "I will always be yours..." I continued, kissing along his jaw line... "And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/it-will-always-be-yes-i-whispered-lightly-kissing-his-lips-i-will/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“Then we spoke the words together. "For all eternity, my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/then-we-spoke-the-words-together-for-all-eternity-my-life/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“You can't live by other's expectations of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/you-can-t-live-by-other-s-expectations-of-you/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“I don’t think any less of you for asking me to come here.” He exuded a tenderness that made his words unquestionably sincere. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/i-don-t-think-any-less-of-you-for-asking-me-to-come-here-he-exuded-a/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“I am in love with you, Magdalene. What I feel for you is timeless. And when I die, when this body releases me, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/i-am-in-love-with-you-magdalene-what-i-feel-for-you-is-timeless-and/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

> [“his typical white apron emblazoned with the words, “When all else fails…everyone is gagging…and the stove is on fire…I read the recipe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/his-typical-white-apron-emblazoned-with-the-words-when-all-else-fails/)

[Laury Falter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

[Explore all 18 Laury Falter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/)

## More Denying quotes

> [A mistake doesnt make you a fool, but denying it surely makes you one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-mistake-doesnt-make-you-a-fool-but-denying-it-surely-makes-you-one/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [That's good; don't deny it. Denying the undeniable just makes you sound like a fool as well as a liar. In this profession, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/that-s-good-don-t-deny-it-denying-the-undeniable-just-makes-you-sound/)

[Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/)

> [As far as implying that we know what we're doing, that we have perspective enough - by diving fully into something it requires a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-oldham/as-far-as-implying-that-we-know-what-we-re-doing-that-we-have/)

[Will Oldham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-oldham/)

> [I am quite a romantic person, really, and I should have put that into my music earlier, but I was probably denying it... I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-idol/i-am-quite-a-romantic-person-really-and-i-should-have-put-that-into/)

[Billy Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-idol/)

> [I'm not selling out, denying who I am or where I've come from, not at all. I acknowledge that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-iglesias/i-m-not-selling-out-denying-who-i-am-or-where-i-ve-come-from-not-at/)

[Gabriel Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-iglesias/)

> [Patrons, don't berate bouncers for denying you entry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-evans/patrons-don-t-berate-bouncers-for-denying-you-entry/)

[Sean Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-evans/)

> [Obamacare is going to destroy the elderly by denying care, by even perhaps denying treatment to people who are in catastrophic circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/obamacare-is-going-to-destroy-the-elderly-by-denying-care-by-even/)

[Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/)

> [“The corporate government is completely okay with sending sickened people into extreme poverty for the rest of their lives by blatantly denying their genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-corporate-government-is-completely-okay-with-sending-sickened/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [I am not questioning your honor, I am denying its existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-questioning-your-honor-i-am-denying-its-existence/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Denying what you are didn't keep people from knowing what you are." "And flaunting it isn't what saved you." Ykka takes a deep breath.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/denying-what-you-are-didn-t-keep-people-from-knowing-what-you-are-and/)

[N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/)

> [“Stevie: (Not listening) That you can do these two things... and not understand how it... SHATTERS THE GLASS!!?? How it cannot be dealt with-how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/stevie-not-listening-that-you-can-do-these-two-things-and-not/)

[Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/)

> [Theres nothing wrong with admitting youre in love with him, whats wrong is that you keep on denying it even though its obvious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/theres-nothing-wrong-with-admitting-youre-in-love-with-him-whats/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Sometime in the not too distant future, denying gays the right to marry will be viewed as historically corrupt - as corrupt as denying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/sometime-in-the-not-too-distant-future-denying-gays-the-right-to/)

[Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/)

> [“That feels like the worst part: denying people hope. I don't know where I'd be if I couldn't even tell myself that any day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-hardy/that-feels-like-the-worst-part-denying-people-hope-i-don-t-know-where/)

[Nicole Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-hardy/)

> [By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/by-denying-scientific-principles-one-may-maintain-any-paradox/)

[Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/)

Browse all 202 Denying quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to ourselves, preserving that preciously safe space around us, denying others entry. We make it painful for others so they won’t think about invading it. We make ourselves invisible or unreceptive so they won’t consider trying. I’ve watched you do it for a year. But we do this for different reasons. You do it so that others can’t hurt you. I do it so that I can’t hurt others.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Laury Falter"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-ourselves-preserving-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Denying"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-ourselves-preserving-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/laury-falter-29277_denying_we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-oursel_2931353.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We are similar, Kennedy. We keep to ourselves, preserving that preciously safe space around us, denying…” — Laury Falter",
                "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": "Laury Falter",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laury-falter/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We are similar, Kennedy. We keep...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-ourselves-preserving-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laury-falter/we-are-similar-kennedy-we-keep-to-ourselves-preserving-that/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
