--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Often, I think that my brothers were the…" description: "\"Often, I think that my brothers were the reason I didn't do something really stupid in my teenage years; I didn't want to disappoint them. Even though ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/leigh-newman-15257_brother_often-i-think-that-my-brothers-were-the_342543.jpg" --- # Often, I think that my brothers were the reason I didn't… ![“Often, I think that my brothers were the reason I didn't do something really stupid in my teenage years; I didn't want to disappoint them. Even though was I was pretty committed to disappointing everybody else.” quote by Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/leigh-newman-15257_brother_often-i-think-that-my-brothers-were-the_342543.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/leigh-newman-15257_brother_often-i-think-that-my-brothers-were-the_342543.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/leigh-newman-15257_brother_often-i-think-that-my-brothers-were-the_342543.jpg) > “Often, I think that my brothers were the reason I didn't do something really stupid in my teenage years; I didn't want to disappoint them. Even though was I was pretty committed to disappointing everybody else.” [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire to avoid disappointing loved ones can prevent reckless behavior, yet may conflict with personal authenticity **In simple terms:** Fear of letting family down can guide choices, but may clash with self‑expression Key Takeaway Balance family expectations with personal truth Themes family identity risk Mood conflicted thoughtful Type reflective emotional When to use this quote - teenage decisions - career choices - relationship boundaries Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What expectations shape your choices? - How can you honor both self and family? A Different Perspective Over‑caring can suppress personal growth ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brothers/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Teenage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teenage/) [Teenage years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teenage-years/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I think I'm pretty committed to staying. I'm not committed to not doing big movies, but I am committed to continuing to make smaller…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-think-i-m-pretty-committed-to-staying-i-m-not-committed-to-not/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [It's not easy keeping a diary. You have to be pretty committed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/it-s-not-easy-keeping-a-diary-you-have-to-be-pretty-committed/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [I'm pretty committed to being a filmmaker because it incorporates everything I love: music, art direction, story, and you know - everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adria-petty/i-m-pretty-committed-to-being-a-filmmaker-because-it-incorporates/) [Adria Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adria-petty/) > [I'm pretty committed to the Constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kelly/i-m-pretty-committed-to-the-constitution/) [John F. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kelly/) > [You would think none of my brothers have jobs with how much time they spend on the phone with our mom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myron-rolle/you-would-think-none-of-my-brothers-have-jobs-with-how-much-time-they/) [Myron Rolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myron-rolle/) > [We'd fight a lot. But I think all brothers do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/we-d-fight-a-lot-but-i-think-all-brothers-do-that/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I used to say I live my life a quarter mile at a time and I think that's why we were brothers- because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-diesel/i-used-to-say-i-live-my-life-a-quarter-mile-at-a-time-and-i-think/) [Vin Diesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-diesel/) > [I think, now that my brothers and I live so far apart, the greatest gift is when we can be together - when everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-boston/i-think-now-that-my-brothers-and-i-live-so-far-apart-the-greatest/) [Rachel Boston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-boston/) > [I was a photographer first.I worked alone. I did it my way as much as I could. I have been sort of courageous about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-was-a-photographer-first-i-worked-alone-i-did-it-my-way-as-much-as/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [Saying something really stupid, then thinking, Well that sounded a lot better in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/saying-something-really-stupid-then-thinking-well-that-sounded-a-lot/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like wars, forest fires and bad marriages, really stupid laws are much easier to begin than they are to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-taibbi/like-wars-forest-fires-and-bad-marriages-really-stupid-laws-are-much/) [Matt Taibbi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-taibbi/) > [And they say I'm really stupid for still wanting to be with you. But you know what? I don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn/and-they-say-i-m-really-stupid-for-still-wanting-to-be-with-you-but/) [Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn/) > [I like the idea of using cool cyberpunk stuff to tell really stupid jokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-quinn/i-like-the-idea-of-using-cool-cyberpunk-stuff-to-tell-really-stupid/) [Zoe Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-quinn/) > [“Okay,” Nina said. “We’re all thinking it, but I’m going to say it. That was really, really stupid. If I hadn’t brought my gun,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-faust/okay-nina-said-we-re-all-thinking-it-but-i-m-going-to-say-it-that-was/) [Christa Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-faust/) > [The truth is I've just never had any kind of plan at all for my career, which is probably not a very flattering thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-burrell/the-truth-is-i-ve-just-never-had-any-kind-of-plan-at-all-for-my/) [Ty Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-burrell/) ## More by Leigh Newman > [Resisting and avoiding pain sucks energy-and time. The more you let yourself feel those minute-and-a-half hells, the quicker you'll start feeling those minute-and-a-half happinesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/resisting-and-avoiding-pain-sucks-energy-and-time-the-more-you-let/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [“Pain only seems scary while you're waiting for it to happen. After it does, it's just hurt and recovery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/pain-only-seems-scary-while-you-re-waiting-for-it-to-happen-after-it/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [I turned what was a wonderful case of self-reliance into a case of self-exile. Which is not uncommon, I think, in people who grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/i-turned-what-was-a-wonderful-case-of-self-reliance-into-a-case-of/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [I wasn't in a position that some other memoirists are, dealing with families who fed them meth, or kidnapped them, or did something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/i-wasn-t-in-a-position-that-some-other-memoirists-are-dealing-with/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [It feels like people talk a lot, in their relationships and in therapy. But my family wasn't like that. My dad wasn't and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/it-feels-like-people-talk-a-lot-in-their-relationships-and-in-therapy/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [The minute I landed back in Alaska, it was back to hip boots and fish guts. This cultural flipping wasn't easy - especially on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/the-minute-i-landed-back-in-alaska-it-was-back-to-hip-boots-and-fish/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [My natural inclination is to think in scenes. So that's how I write, and the issue for me is usually: what to compress for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/my-natural-inclination-is-to-think-in-scenes-so-that-s-how-i-write/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [The tough thing is how to cultivate a life where the paramecium of happiness gets a lot of chances to get out and swim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/the-tough-thing-is-how-to-cultivate-a-life-where-the-paramecium-of/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [There's a kind of intimacy that happens between a mother and an only child. Which only gets more intimate when it's between a mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/there-s-a-kind-of-intimacy-that-happens-between-a-mother-and-an-only/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [My dad felt pretty strongly that I know about the basic workings of a plane and so he taught me how to read and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/my-dad-felt-pretty-strongly-that-i-know-about-the-basic-workings-of-a/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [ Penning an advice column for the literary website The Rumpus, \[Strayed\] worked anonymously, using the pen name Sugar, replying to letters from readings suffering… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/penning-an-advice-column-for-the-literary-website-the-rumpus-strayed/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [After my parents divorced, my father remarried and my brothers were born when I was twelve and sixteen. I was thunderstruck at these kids.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/after-my-parents-divorced-my-father-remarried-and-my-brothers-were/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [It's much harder when you're writing about your life, than when you're writing fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/it-s-much-harder-when-you-re-writing-about-your-life-than-when-you-re/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [“Can't lives on won't street.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/can-t-lives-on-won-t-street/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [“If you can't be yourself with yourself, how can you be you with other people?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/if-you-can-t-be-yourself-with-yourself-how-can-you-be-you-with-other/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) [Explore all 43 Leigh Newman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) ## More Brother quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Whatever meaning 'Annie's Song' had for me on a personal level, there was also a larger context. It could just as easily have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-denver/whatever-meaning-annie-s-song-had-for-me-on-a-personal-level-there/) [John Denver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-denver/) > [Luckily, the bullet that hit my chest never got to me. It was stopped by a silver case I got for my brother's wedding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-doohan/luckily-the-bullet-that-hit-my-chest-never-got-to-me-it-was-stopped/) [James Doohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-doohan/) > [“Yeah. You treat him like a son or a soldier, instead of like a brother. He wants you to like him and admire him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hunter/yeah-you-treat-him-like-a-son-or-a-soldier-instead-of-like-a-brother/) [Faith Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hunter/) > [“Your relationship with your brother will be, in many ways, the most complex and bewildering of all the interpersonal connections you will form. An…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-currie-jr/your-relationship-with-your-brother-will-be-in-many-ways-the-most/) [Ron Currie Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-currie-jr/) > [If I had my brothers I think with just a little bit of the correct marketing, I'd like to be almost exclusively in small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/if-i-had-my-brothers-i-think-with-just-a-little-bit-of-the-correct/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [There's no publicist, no advertisements, and no one's pushing us. If people are buying our records, it's because big brothers and sisters or friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-moody/there-s-no-publicist-no-advertisements-and-no-one-s-pushing-us-if/) Spencer Moody > [The only way to make sure that the Hand didn't get to you would have been to kill your brother. I could've done it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-only-way-to-make-sure-that-the-hand-didn-t-get-to-you-would-have/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“Your favorite son and brother, Shade. Like”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-aveyard/your-favorite-son-and-brother-shade-like/) [Victoria Aveyard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-aveyard/) > [Sister + brother = a lovely family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sister-brother-a-lovely-family/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/brothers-and-sisters-i-bid-you-beware-of-giving-your-heart-to-a-dog/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Stephanie could see the greed seep into the watery eyes of her father’s other brother, a horrible little man called Fergus, as he nodded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stephanie-could-see-the-greed-seep-into-the-watery-eyes-of-her-father/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I worked in a barbershop. I used to make the waves in the brother's hair, you know? Like, Nat King Cole, Sugar Ray Robinson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clinton/i-worked-in-a-barbershop-i-used-to-make-the-waves-in-the-brother-s/) [George Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clinton/) [Browse all 7,453 Brother quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Often, I think that my brothers were the reason I didn't do something really stupid in my teenage years; I didn't want to disappoint them. 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