--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Helplessness is a mighty power." description: "\"Helplessness is a mighty power.\" — Mason Cooley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png" --- # Helplessness is a mighty power. ![“Helplessness is a mighty power.” quote by Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png) > “Helplessness is a mighty power.” [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Helplessness can be a powerful motivator or source of strength. **In simple terms:** Helplessness can empower. Key Takeaway Recognize power in vulnerability. Themes vulnerability power psychology Mood thoughtful inspirational Type motivational psychological When to use this quote - therapy - personal growth - leadership - crisis management Key Concepts agency resilience motivation Questions to Reflect On - When does helplessness become disempowering? - How can we channel it constructively? A Different Perspective Overreliance on helplessness may lead to passivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Helplessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) [Helplessness Mighty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness-mighty-4331100/) [Mighty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mighty/) [Mighty Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mighty-power-2196933/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [“Praise God for his mighty power”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/praise-god-for-his-mighty-power/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“There is a mighty power within every man to accomplish great things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/there-is-a-mighty-power-within-every-man-to-accomplish-great-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The mighty power of logic cleanses all it touches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/the-mighty-power-of-logic-cleanses-all-it-touches/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [There is a mighty power in a mother's hand. There's more power in a woman's hand than there is in a king's scepter. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sunday/there-is-a-mighty-power-in-a-mother-s-hand-there-s-more-power-in-a/) [Billy Sunday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sunday/) > [Steam becomes a mighty power only when it allows itself to be imprisoned in a strong little reservoir, produces tremendous motion and carries huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/steam-becomes-a-mighty-power-only-when-it-allows-itself-to-be/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Kafka: cries of helplessness in twenty powerful volumes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/kafka-cries-of-helplessness-in-twenty-powerful-volumes/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [To win hearts, smile kindly on people's weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/to-win-hearts-smile-kindly-on-people-s-weaknesses/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Those who look down on me will never see me, when I'm reaching for the Sky's, so let them ponder who is he who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-king-of-speech/those-who-look-down-on-me-will-never-see-me-when-i-m-reaching-for-the/) [The King Of Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-king-of-speech/) > [God is so unique in giving His people ways to fellowship, witness, and remember what a mighty and merciful God He is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/god-is-so-unique-in-giving-his-people-ways-to-fellowship-witness-and/) [Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/) > [“…this story offers far more than a simple moral of how the meek can trump the mighty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-pinkney/this-story-offers-far-more-than-a-simple-moral-of-how-the-meek-can/) [Jerry Pinkney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-pinkney/) > [In 1981, I borrowed 2,000 pounds - a lot of money back then - paid 50 quid for a seat, packed my own sandwich,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/in-1981-i-borrowed-2-000-pounds-a-lot-of-money-back-then-paid-50-quid/) [Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/) > [I think 'the Mighty Boosh' are quite good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/i-think-the-mighty-boosh-are-quite-good/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [“Remember, you don’t have to be mighty in stature to be mighty in battle. You don’t have to be beautiful or strong, or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susie-larson/remember-you-don-t-have-to-be-mighty-in-stature-to-be-mighty-in/) [Susie Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susie-larson/) > [I'm a grandmother, and a mighty proud one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-paretsky/i-m-a-grandmother-and-a-mighty-proud-one/) [Sara Paretsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-paretsky/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More by Mason Cooley > [Nostalgia keeps dissolving the ironic narratives in which I have contained my past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/nostalgia-keeps-dissolving-the-ironic-narratives-in-which-i-have/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The modernist writers found despair inspirational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-modernist-writers-found-despair-inspirational/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Even the most abject have a sense of superiority based on powerful though undefined merits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/even-the-most-abject-have-a-sense-of-superiority-based-on-powerful/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Money comes to life as it is spent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/money-comes-to-life-as-it-is-spent/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Even the most fickle are faithful to a few bad habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/even-the-most-fickle-are-faithful-to-a-few-bad-habits/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Rage is exciting, but leaves me confused and exhausted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/rage-is-exciting-but-leaves-me-confused-and-exhausted/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Literary tradition is full of lies about poverty-the jolly beggar, the poor but happy milkmaid, the wholesome diet of porridge, etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/literary-tradition-is-full-of-lies-about-poverty-the-jolly-beggar-the/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Experience teaches us, but we scarcely know what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/experience-teaches-us-but-we-scarcely-know-what/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The body has a mind of its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-body-has-a-mind-of-its-own/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [In retirement, I look for days off from my days off. Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/in-retirement-i-look-for-days-off-from-my-days-off-mason-cooley/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [My intentions go one way, my desires another. Thus I feel both self-indulgent and deprived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/my-intentions-go-one-way-my-desires-another-thus-i-feel-both-self/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The Puritan sours his pleasures by disguising them as duties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-puritan-sours-his-pleasures-by-disguising-them-as-duties/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Unlike the actual, the fictional explains itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/unlike-the-actual-the-fictional-explains-itself/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Vacations prove that a life of pleasure is overrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/vacations-prove-that-a-life-of-pleasure-is-overrated/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Outside literature, high-flown sentiments are merely exasperating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/outside-literature-high-flown-sentiments-are-merely-exasperating/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) [Explore all 1,401 Mason Cooley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) ## More Helplessness quotes > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“You don’t know what it’s like to worry you’ll start to despise the people who help you, the ones you should love, because they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-guzeman/you-don-t-know-what-it-s-like-to-worry-you-ll-start-to-despise-the/) [Tracy Guzeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-guzeman/) > [To pray is to open the door unto Jesus and admit Him into your distress. Your helplessness is the very thing which opens wide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/to-pray-is-to-open-the-door-unto-jesus-and-admit-him-into-your/) [Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/) > [O.K., helplessness is repugnant to me, as a father, as a piece of protoplasm. My parents were activists. I don't believe you can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-brickman/o-k-helplessness-is-repugnant-to-me-as-a-father-as-a-piece-of/) [Marshall Brickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-brickman/) > [“The world was full of forces you couldn't fight against which suddenly loomed up and aimed a crushing blow at you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarjei-vesaas/the-world-was-full-of-forces-you-couldn-t-fight-against-which/) [Tarjei Vesaas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarjei-vesaas/) > [“If you become so frightened of realities that are not your own, if you take upon yourselves tragedies that do not exist in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/if-you-become-so-frightened-of-realities-that-are-not-your-own-if-you/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Another person is, at the heart of it, unknowable. And if you cannot know a person enough to always guess what they’re capable of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/another-person-is-at-the-heart-of-it-unknowable-and-if-you-cannot/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [“Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/perhaps-everything-that-frightens-us-is-in-its-deepest-essence/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [“Power is fortified not just by what it destroys, but also by what it creates. Not just by what it takes, but also by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/power-is-fortified-not-just-by-what-it-destroys-but-also-by-what-it/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [“Most of those who think their strength is gone and ask for help from others do not know that the strength that seems to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/most-of-those-who-think-their-strength-is-gone-and-ask-for-help-from/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“There was no way out; not, at least, in this direction. I was like a hamster that had climbed to the top of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bradley/there-was-no-way-out-not-at-least-in-this-direction-i-was-like-a/) [Alan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bradley/) > [“Well, on some level, it’s similar to the psychological phenomenon of helplessness, where the will to try is lost. You get to the point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-love/well-on-some-level-it-s-similar-to-the-psychological-phenomenon-of/) [Zack Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-love/) > [Absolute power, as we have always known, corrupts absolutely; it corrupts because it does not do the trick for the individual. Reality always creeps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-d-yalom/absolute-power-as-we-have-always-known-corrupts-absolutely-it/) [Irvin D. Yalom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-d-yalom/) > [“What would any man do with a soggy girl who can't assert herself, who has a weak voice, and whose main personality component is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/what-would-any-man-do-with-a-soggy-girl-who-can-t-assert-herself-who/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The utter helplessness of a conquered people is perhaps the most tragic feature of a civil war or any other sort of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-latimer-felton/the-utter-helplessness-of-a-conquered-people-is-perhaps-the-most/) [Rebecca Latimer Felton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-latimer-felton/) [Browse all 316 Helplessness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Helplessness is a mighty power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mason Cooley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/helplessness-is-a-mighty-power/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Helplessness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/helplessness-is-a-mighty-power/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/mason-cooley-92_helplessness_helplessness-is-a-mighty-power-2932613_2932613.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Helplessness is a mighty power.” — Mason Cooley", "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": "Mason Cooley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Helplessness is a mighty power.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/helplessness-is-a-mighty-power/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/helplessness-is-a-mighty-power/#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 } } ] } ```