--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We…" description: "\"...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We let other people determine our actions and attitudes. We let other people determine whether we will be rude or..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg" --- # ...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We let other people… ![“...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We let other people determine our actions and attitudes. We let other people determine whether we will be rude or gracious, depressed or elated, critical or loyal, passive or dedicated.” quote by Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg) > “...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We let other people determine our actions and attitudes. We let other people determine whether we will be rude or gracious, depressed or elated, critical or loyal, passive or dedicated.” [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often react to others instead of acting from their own values, letting external opinions shape their behavior and emotions. **In simple terms:** We let others control how we act and feel. Key Takeaway Choose actions based on personal values, not others' influence. Themes self‑awareness personal responsibility emotional autonomy Mood reflective determined Type advice motivational When to use this quote - leadership decisions - personal relationships - mental health coping - career choices Key Concepts psychology behavioral conditioning identity formation Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your decisions? - How can you assert autonomy in stressful interactions? A Different Perspective External influence can be overwhelming, making it hard to maintain consistency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Dedicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedicated/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Rude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rude/) [Rudeness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudeness/) ## Related quotes > [In subjective and objective ways,others judge our actions,attitudes,and performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-williams/in-subjective-and-objective-ways-others-judge-our-actions-attitudes/) [Craig Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-williams/) > [France generates a significant part of its energy requirements from fission reactors and these have achieved a perfect safety record. We build ours all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-greatbatch/france-generates-a-significant-part-of-its-energy-requirements-from/) [Wilson Greatbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-greatbatch/) > [In the West, when all of these reactors, nuclear reactors, are matters...part of the public domain, there are all kinds of supervision over them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/in-the-west-when-all-of-these-reactors-nuclear-reactors-are-matters/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [We are in constant danger of being not actors in the drama of our lives but reactors, to go where the world takes us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/we-are-in-constant-danger-of-being-not-actors-in-the-drama-of-our/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [We have never succeeded in slowing down our nuclear fusion reactors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-greatbatch/we-have-never-succeeded-in-slowing-down-our-nuclear-fusion-reactors/) [Wilson Greatbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-greatbatch/) > [“As Buechner says, we are in constant danger of being not actors in the drama of our lives but reactors, “to go where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-eldredge/as-buechner-says-we-are-in-constant-danger-of-being-not-actors-in-the/) [John Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-eldredge/) > [ If they don't close these \[nuclear\] reactors down, we'll have civil war in five years. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/if-they-don-t-close-these-nuclear-reactors-down-we-ll-have-civil-war/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [“We are in constant danger of being not actors in the drama of our own lives but reactors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/we-are-in-constant-danger-of-being-not-actors-in-the-drama-of-our-own/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [There is no place where we can safely store worn-out reactors or their garbage. No place!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-brower/there-is-no-place-where-we-can-safely-store-worn-out-reactors-or/) [David R. Brower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-r-brower/) > [More than 30 of America's 100 nuclear power reactors have the same brand of General Electric reactors or containment system used in Fukushima.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-dedman/more-than-30-of-america-s-100-nuclear-power-reactors-have-the-same/) [Bill Dedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-dedman/) > [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Children are guilty of unpardonable rudeness when they spit in the face of a companion; neither are they excusable who spit from windows or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-de-la-salle/children-are-guilty-of-unpardonable-rudeness-when-they-spit-in-the/) [Jean-Baptiste de La Salle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-de-la-salle/) > [“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/never-in-england-were-there-so-many-gentlemen-and-so-little-gentleness/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [Arrogance is a mixture of impertinence, disobedience, indiscipline, rudeness, harshness, and a self-assertive nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/arrogance-is-a-mixture-of-impertinence-disobedience-indiscipline/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) > [“It is said that the hallmark of a gentleman is that he is only ever rude intentionally. Arthur Bryant was no gentleman. His rudeness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-fowler/it-is-said-that-the-hallmark-of-a-gentleman-is-that-he-is-only-ever/) [Christopher Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-fowler/) ## More by Marvin J. Ashton > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Satan is ever present, trying to destroy our glory and remove our crown. One of his most powerful tools is discouragement. Don't let your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/satan-is-ever-present-trying-to-destroy-our-glory-and-remove-our/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Shaking off restrictive chains requires action. They cannot be wished away. A declaration will never break chains. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/shaking-off-restrictive-chains-requires-action-they-cannot-be-wished/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“The shepherds were invited to come and see. They saw. They trembled. They testified. They rejoiced. They saw Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/the-shepherds-were-invited-to-come-and-see-they-saw-they-trembled/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/as-children-of-god-we-are-somebody-he-will-build-us-mold-us-and/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [We should teach, particularly ourselves, that nobody is a nobody. We are someone, and with God's help we can accomplish all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-should-teach-particularly-ourselves-that-nobody-is-a-nobody-we-are/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/perhaps-the-greatest-charity-comes-when-we-are-kind-to-each-other/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“An understanding, loving heart is the pinnacle of all human emotions…. We come closest to becoming Christlike when we are charitable and understanding of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/an-understanding-loving-heart-is-the-pinnacle-of-all-human-emotions/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [When a mother asked her small child how he fell out of bed, he answered, "Because I wasn't in far enough." Let me just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/when-a-mother-asked-her-small-child-how-he-fell-out-of-bed-he/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [All of us need to be constantly reminded it takes a heap of living and loving to make a house a home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/all-of-us-need-to-be-constantly-reminded-it-takes-a-heap-of-living/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [A willingness to vocalize feelings. How important it is to be willing to voice one's thoughts and feelings. Yes, how important it is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/a-willingness-to-vocalize-feelings-how-important-it-is-to-be-willing/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Peace-not passion, not personal possessions, not personal accomplishments nor happiness-is one of the greatest blessings a man can receive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/peace-not-passion-not-personal-possessions-not-personal/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Young people . . , God wants us to be victorious. He wants you to triumph over all of your foes. Stalwart and brave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/young-people-god-wants-us-to-be-victorious-he-wants-you-to-triumph/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/the-direction-in-which-we-are-moving-is-more-important-than-where-we/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. … It is sunshine when clouds block the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/with-god-s-help-good-cheer-permits-us-to-rise-above-the-depressing/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) [Explore all 137 Marvin J. Ashton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We let other people determine our actions and attitudes. We let other people determine whether we will be rude or gracious, depressed or elated, critical or loyal, passive or dedicated.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marvin J. Ashton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let-other-people-determine-our/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let-other-people-determine-our/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/marvin-j-ashton-3195_action_many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let_2314094.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...Many of us are perpetual reactors. We let other people determine our actions and attitudes. We let other…” — Marvin J. Ashton", "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": "Marvin J. Ashton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "...Many of us are perpetual reactors....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let-other-people-determine-our/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/many-of-us-are-perpetual-reactors-we-let-other-people-determine-our/#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 } } ] } ```