--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What people mistook for safety was in…" description: "\"What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity.\" — Louise Penny" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png" --- # What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity. ![“What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity.” quote by Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png) > “What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity.” [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Safety can be an illusion; what feels secure may actually be confinement. **In simple terms:** Safety can be a trap. Key Takeaway Question perceived security. Themes psychology freedom illusion personal growth risk assessment Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - relationship choices - mental health therapy Key Concepts self-awareness boundary setting empowerment Questions to Reflect On - What freedoms are limited by your safety nets? - When does caution become captivity? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on safety can hinder progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Captivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captivity/) [Fact Captivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact-captivity-1804764/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Mistook Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistook-safety-4310543/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Mistook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-mistook-4310544/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) [Safety Fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety-fact-4310545/) ## Related quotes > [No good ever comes from putting up walls. What people mistake for safety is in fact captivity. And few things thrive in captivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/no-good-ever-comes-from-putting-up-walls-what-people-mistake-for/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“It is up to you whether social, intelligent and wonderful creatures are to be freed from their chains and cages where ruthless people keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-kampusch/it-is-up-to-you-whether-social-intelligent-and-wonderful-creatures/) [Natascha Kampusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-kampusch/) > [We can laugh from either joy or happiness, but we weep only from grief or joy...Without the pain of farewell, there is no joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-vaillant/we-can-laugh-from-either-joy-or-happiness-but-we-weep-only-from-grief/) [George Vaillant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-vaillant/) > [We get into captivity because of our foolishness and we are more foolish that we want to admit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/we-get-into-captivity-because-of-our-foolishness-and-we-are-more/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) > [The less control people had over their work, the higher their blood pressure during work hours. Moreover, blood pressure at home was unrelated to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/the-less-control-people-had-over-their-work-the-higher-their-blood/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [“An unbroken horse erects his mane, paws the ground and starts back impetuously at the sight of the bridle; while one which is properly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rousseau-jean-jacques/an-unbroken-horse-erects-his-mane-paws-the-ground-and-starts-back/) [Rousseau Jean-Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rousseau-jean-jacques/) > [“In situations of captivity the perpetrator becomes the most powerful person in the life of the victim, and the psychology of the victim is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/in-situations-of-captivity-the-perpetrator-becomes-the-most-powerful/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [“They put me and more 300 companions of misfortune and captivity in the strait and infected basement of a ship. Thirty days of cruel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-firmina-dos-reis/they-put-me-and-more-300-companions-of-misfortune-and-captivity-in/) [Maria Firmina dos Reis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-firmina-dos-reis/) > [A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge. For if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/a-man-is-saved-no-faster-than-he-gets-knowledge-for-if-he-does-not/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [Attempts to defend amusement parks and circuses on the grounds that they 'educate' people about animals should not be taken seriously. Such enterprises are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/attempts-to-defend-amusement-parks-and-circuses-on-the-grounds-that/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“From the pavement, I could see the window of Albertine’s room, that window, formerly quite black, at night, when she was not staying in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/from-the-pavement-i-could-see-the-window-of-albertine-s-room-that/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [“bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-baker/bringing-every-thought-into-captivity-to-the-obedience-of-christ/) [Heidi Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-baker/) > [Release your majestic mind, embrace your untamed inner spirit. Break free from captivity, avoid society.. You were born to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-muller/release-your-majestic-mind-embrace-your-untamed-inner-spirit-break/) [Melanie Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-muller/) > [When a captive lion steps out of his cage, he comes into a wider world than the lion who has known only the wilds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukio-mishima/when-a-captive-lion-steps-out-of-his-cage-he-comes-into-a-wider-world/) [Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukio-mishima/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) ## More by Louise Penny > [“Whale oil beef hooked,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/whale-oil-beef-hooked/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“I am tired,” Gamache murmured as he walked into the gentle little village. “But I am at peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/i-am-tired-gamache-murmured-as-he-walked-into-the-gentle-little/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“The reason “belonging” was so potent, so attractive, so much a part of the human yearning, was that it also meant safety, and loyalty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/the-reason-belonging-was-so-potent-so-attractive-so-much-a-part-of/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“She picked up her book and tried to read but it was heavy in her hands. She struggled to hold it, wanting to finish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/she-picked-up-her-book-and-tried-to-read-but-it-was-heavy-in-her/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“We’re used to the film versions of psychopaths. The clearly crazies. But most psychopaths are clever. They have to be. They know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/we-re-used-to-the-film-versions-of-psychopaths-the-clearly-crazies/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“Instead he stood erect, the snow insinuating itself down his collar and up his sleeves, plastering against his face and into his unblinking eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/instead-he-stood-erect-the-snow-insinuating-itself-down-his-collar/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“He was an emotional communist. Everyone counted equally, but none too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/he-was-an-emotional-communist-everyone-counted-equally-but-none-too/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [I turned down all the requests for the rights to the books, for years, mostly because they wanted the rights to the characters, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/i-turned-down-all-the-requests-for-the-rights-to-the-books-for-years/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“Chief Superintendent Arnot might hold power, but Armand Gamache was the more powerful man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/chief-superintendent-arnot-might-hold-power-but-armand-gamache-was/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“Henri kept everything important in his heart. He mostly kept cookies in his head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/henri-kept-everything-important-in-his-heart-he-mostly-kept-cookies/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [A good journalist, as you know, is a great listener. And so's a good writer. And I got to listen to people for almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/a-good-journalist-as-you-know-is-a-great-listener-and-so-s-a-good/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [The question that haunted every investigation was 'why'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/the-question-that-haunted-every-investigation-was-why/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [But, like peace, comfort didn't come from hiding away or running away. Comfort first demanded courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/but-like-peace-comfort-didn-t-come-from-hiding-away-or-running-away/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“He did not suggest that she sit quietly and get to know herself so she could be all the company she needed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/he-did-not-suggest-that-she-sit-quietly-and-get-to-know-herself-so/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [“Come hither, all ye empty things,/Ye bubbles raised by breath of kings;/Who float upon the tide of state,/Come hither, and behold your fate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/come-hither-all-ye-empty-things-ye-bubbles-raised-by-breath-of-kings/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) [Explore all 295 Louise Penny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) ## More Captivity quotes > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [When a captive lion steps out of his cage, he comes into a wider world than the lion who has known only the wilds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukio-mishima/when-a-captive-lion-steps-out-of-his-cage-he-comes-into-a-wider-world/) [Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukio-mishima/) > [Release your majestic mind, embrace your untamed inner spirit. Break free from captivity, avoid society.. You were born to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-muller/release-your-majestic-mind-embrace-your-untamed-inner-spirit-break/) [Melanie Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-muller/) > [“bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-baker/bringing-every-thought-into-captivity-to-the-obedience-of-christ/) [Heidi Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-baker/) > [“From the pavement, I could see the window of Albertine’s room, that window, formerly quite black, at night, when she was not staying in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/from-the-pavement-i-could-see-the-window-of-albertine-s-room-that/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [Attempts to defend amusement parks and circuses on the grounds that they 'educate' people about animals should not be taken seriously. Such enterprises are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/attempts-to-defend-amusement-parks-and-circuses-on-the-grounds-that/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge. For if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/a-man-is-saved-no-faster-than-he-gets-knowledge-for-if-he-does-not/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [“They put me and more 300 companions of misfortune and captivity in the strait and infected basement of a ship. Thirty days of cruel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-firmina-dos-reis/they-put-me-and-more-300-companions-of-misfortune-and-captivity-in/) [Maria Firmina dos Reis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-firmina-dos-reis/) > [“In situations of captivity the perpetrator becomes the most powerful person in the life of the victim, and the psychology of the victim is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/in-situations-of-captivity-the-perpetrator-becomes-the-most-powerful/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [“An unbroken horse erects his mane, paws the ground and starts back impetuously at the sight of the bridle; while one which is properly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rousseau-jean-jacques/an-unbroken-horse-erects-his-mane-paws-the-ground-and-starts-back/) [Rousseau Jean-Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rousseau-jean-jacques/) > [The less control people had over their work, the higher their blood pressure during work hours. Moreover, blood pressure at home was unrelated to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/the-less-control-people-had-over-their-work-the-higher-their-blood/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [We get into captivity because of our foolishness and we are more foolish that we want to admit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/we-get-into-captivity-because-of-our-foolishness-and-we-are-more/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) > [We can laugh from either joy or happiness, but we weep only from grief or joy...Without the pain of farewell, there is no joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-vaillant/we-can-laugh-from-either-joy-or-happiness-but-we-weep-only-from-grief/) [George Vaillant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-vaillant/) > [“It is up to you whether social, intelligent and wonderful creatures are to be freed from their chains and cages where ruthless people keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natascha-kampusch/it-is-up-to-you-whether-social-intelligent-and-wonderful-creatures/) [Natascha Kampusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natascha-kampusch/) > [“Stability and order have always been paid for with captivity and blood. (76)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-doria-russell/stability-and-order-have-always-been-paid-for-with-captivity-and/) [Mary Doria Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-doria-russell/) [Browse all 180 Captivity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captivity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louise Penny" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fact-captivity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Captivity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fact-captivity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/louise-penny-1059_captivity_what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fa_507754.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity.” — Louise Penny", "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": "Louise Penny", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What people mistook for safety was...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fact-captivity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/what-people-mistook-for-safety-was-in-fact-captivity/#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 } } ] } ```