--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive…" description: "\"“Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control of Energy: Seeks constant fresh sources of stimulation and is highly energized running from human-objec..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg" --- # Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control of Energy… ![“Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control of Energy: Seeks constant fresh sources of stimulation and is highly energized running from human-object to human-object, activity to activity, but does not accomplish anything and never evolves or learns from activities and the many people recycled…” quote by Lynna Kivela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg) > ““Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control of Energy: Seeks constant fresh sources of stimulation and is highly energized running from human-object to human-object, activity to activity, but does not accomplish anything and never evolves or learns from activities and the many people recycled through.”” Lynna Kivela ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Narcissism drives endless pursuit of stimulation without productive outcome, preventing learning and evolution. **In simple terms:** Self‑obsession fuels endless, unproductive chase. Key Takeaway Seek purposeful focus over constant novelty. Themes selfishness energy stimulation growth learning Mood critical analytical concerned Type Childhood-abuse:0 Energy:1 Narcissism:1 Narcissist:1 Personality disorders:1 Power:0 Primal:0 Productivity:0 Psychology:1 Sociopaths-and-psychopaths:0 Control Energy:0 Narcissism Primal:0 Primal Productive:0 When to use this quote - workplace dynamics - social media use - relationship counseling - personal goal setting - creative pursuits Key Concepts psychology narcissism productivity behavioral patterns personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can you redirect excess energy into growth? - What boundaries prevent unproductive stimulation? A Different Perspective Not all high energy is harmful; some can be channeled constructively. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Childhood-abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood-abuse/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Narcissism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narcissism/) [Narcissist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narcissist/) [Personality disorders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality-disorders/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [“The normalization of psychopathic traits in leadership positions speaks volumes about our societal values and the high price of unbridled ambition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhysheq-shukla/the-normalization-of-psychopathic-traits-in-leadership-positions/) [Abhysheq Shukla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhysheq-shukla/) > [“Joe Hunt said he just kept shooting, a lot of times. He said that at one point Ron Levin's brain jumped out of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-sullivan/joe-hunt-said-he-just-kept-shooting-a-lot-of-times-he-said-that-at/) Randall Sullivan > [“Charm and charisma can open doors, but it's the hidden darkness within that often seals the deal in the ruthless world of leadership.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhysheq-shukla/charm-and-charisma-can-open-doors-but-it-s-the-hidden-darkness-within/) [Abhysheq Shukla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhysheq-shukla/) > [“One nurse thought I was "brave." I think she was talking about my steely-eyed, grin-and-bear-it kind of attitude. There were no tears, no complaints…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-e-thomas/one-nurse-thought-i-was-brave-i-think-she-was-talking-about-my-steely/) [M.E. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-e-thomas/) > [“Someone's great blessing has sprung from a pain that you may not be able to endure. So, envy not the blessings they have, unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-s-wolfe/someone-s-great-blessing-has-sprung-from-a-pain-that-you-may-not-be/) J.S. Wolfe > [“Prisons are full of sociopaths and psychopaths, but when questioned, the imprisoned sociopath will honestly admit that they will commit any number of crimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-thompson/prisons-are-full-of-sociopaths-and-psychopaths-but-when-questioned/) [Tanya Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-thompson/) > [“I remember clearly the deaths of three men. One was the richest man of the century, who, having clawed his way to wealth through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-remember-clearly-the-deaths-of-three-men-one-was-the-richest-man-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [It's a slow process, but it is scary, because if someone can control your energy sources, they can control you. We are already being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-thompson/it-s-a-slow-process-but-it-is-scary-because-if-someone-can-control/) [Mike Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-thompson/) > [You have to be able to focus, to control your energy. You need to make it your ally, instead of trying to harness it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-stojko/you-have-to-be-able-to-focus-to-control-your-energy-you-need-to-make/) [Elvis Stojko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-stojko/) > [I want to control our own energy by developing oil and natural gas but also the energy sources of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-control-our-own-energy-by-developing-oil-and-natural-gas/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The irony of the process of thought control: the more energy you put into trying to control your ideas and what you think about,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/the-irony-of-the-process-of-thought-control-the-more-energy-you-put/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [A nation that can't control its energy sources can't control its future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/a-nation-that-can-t-control-its-energy-sources-can-t-control-its/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“To be independent, a nation state must be able to control its energy source.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-coleman/to-be-independent-a-nation-state-must-be-able-to-control-its-energy/) [John Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-coleman/) > [If you control the food, you control a nation. If you control the energy, you control a region. If you control the money, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/if-you-control-the-food-you-control-a-nation-if-you-control-the/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [We've got to control our own energy. Now, not only oil and natural gas, which we've been investing in; but also, we've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-ve-got-to-control-our-own-energy-now-not-only-oil-and-natural-gas/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Childhood-abuse quotes > [“I'm still not sure if I was a victim or not... and if I was, who was my abuser?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eskay-teel/i-m-still-not-sure-if-i-was-a-victim-or-not-and-if-i-was-who-was-my/) Eskay Teel > [“Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/survivors-of-abuse-show-us-the-strength-of-their-personal-spirit/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Those who support such survivors of abuse often find it difficult to hear the reality of those survivors' lives and experience and are often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-matthew/those-who-support-such-survivors-of-abuse-often-find-it-difficult-to/) [Laurie Matthew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-matthew/) > [“The overarching principle of a therapeutic relationship is that therapists should be ever mindful of a variant of the Hippocratic oath and, to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-a-courtois/the-overarching-principle-of-a-therapeutic-relationship-is-that/) [Christine A. Courtois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-a-courtois/) > [“There is a moment in our healing journey when our denial crumbles; we realize our experience and it's continued effects on us won't "just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/there-is-a-moment-in-our-healing-journey-when-our-denial-crumbles-we/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Dissociated trauma memories don't reveal themselves like ordinary memories. Like pieces of a puzzle, they escape the primitive part of our brain where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/dissociated-trauma-memories-don-t-reveal-themselves-like-ordinary/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“... the silent client may be experienced as withholding, oppositional, and sulking or as holding the therapist "hostage" in ways that elicit resentment and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-a-courtois/the-silent-client-may-be-experienced-as-withholding-oppositional-and/) [Christine A. Courtois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-a-courtois/) > [“Political prisoners describe: - extreme physical and emotional torture - distortion of language, truth, meaning and reality - sham killings - begin repeatedly taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-matthew/political-prisoners-describe-extreme-physical-and-emotional-torture/) [Laurie Matthew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-matthew/) > [“Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the years, but it requires a mental vigilance that separates us from our inner world. It's building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/stuffing-our-memories-might-become-familiar-over-the-years-but-it/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“In the weeds of childhood sexual abuse, we are the sturdy flowers that kept reaching for a slip of sunshine and a trickle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/in-the-weeds-of-childhood-sexual-abuse-we-are-the-sturdy-flowers-that/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Therapy must begin with empathy - not a patronizing sympathy, but instead one that is unflinching (Marotta, 2003). Empathy of this sort is highly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-a-courtois/therapy-must-begin-with-empathy-not-a-patronizing-sympathy-but/) [Christine A. Courtois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-a-courtois/) > [“Sometimes, during our healing journeys, those closest to us can’t help even though we all wish it could be that way. Allow those moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/sometimes-during-our-healing-journeys-those-closest-to-us-can-t-help/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“I warned myself against the danger of compassion in this case. How easy it would be to imagine the traumas of childhood that might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-warned-myself-against-the-danger-of-compassion-in-this-case-how/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Some abusers organise themselves in groups to abuse children and other adults in a more formally ritualised way. Men and women in these groups…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-matthew/some-abusers-organise-themselves-in-groups-to-abuse-children-and/) [Laurie Matthew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-matthew/) > [“If the therapist understands and does not take mistrust as personal affront, the therapeutic relationship can evolve gradually. The client can begin to recognize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-a-courtois/if-the-therapist-understands-and-does-not-take-mistrust-as-personal/) [Christine A. Courtois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-a-courtois/) [Browse all 70 Childhood-abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood-abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control of Energy: Seeks constant fresh sources of stimulation and is highly energized running from human-object to human-object, activity to activity, but does not accomplish anything and never evolves or learns from activities and the many people recycled through.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lynna Kivela" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynna-kivela/narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-control-of-energy-seeks-constant/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Childhood-abuse" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynna-kivela/narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-control-of-energy-seeks-constant/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/lynna-kivela-258413_childhood-abuse_narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-con_906077.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control of Energy: Seeks constant fresh sources of stimulation and is…” — Lynna Kivela", "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": "Lynna Kivela", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynna-kivela/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Narcissism: It's Primal. No Productive Control...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynna-kivela/narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-control-of-energy-seeks-constant/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynna-kivela/narcissism-it-s-primal-no-productive-control-of-energy-seeks-constant/#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 } } ] } ```