--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dwelling on negative thoughts is like…" description: "\"Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.\" — Norman Vincent Peale" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg" --- # Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds. ![“Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.” quote by Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg) > “Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.” [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dwelling on negativity nurt it, while preventing growth and allowing harmful thoughts to thrive. **In simple terms:** Negative thoughts act like fertilizer for weeds. Key Takeaway Stop feeding negativity. Themes mindset mental health growth self‑talk Mood reflective cautious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - relationship counseling - personal journaling - stress management - mindfulness practice Key Concepts cognitive bias self‑sabotage psychology Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts are you feeding? - How can you replace them with constructive ones? A Different Perspective Negative thoughts can also be a signal of underlying issues needing attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling/) [Dwelling Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling-negative-378430/) [Fertilizing Weeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fertilizing-weeds-3475949/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Like Fertilizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-fertilizing-3475948/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Negative thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-thoughts/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Weed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weed/) [Weeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weeds/) ## Related quotes > [Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dwelling-on-the-negative-simply-contributes-to-its-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you consider your mind like a garden,' he began earnestly, 'a garden needs to be tended regularly to prevent weeds from springing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tami-egonu/if-you-consider-your-mind-like-a-garden-he-began-earnestly-a-garden/) [Tami Egonu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tami-egonu/) > [Your mind is like a garden - unless you cultivate flowers, weeds will flourish. To keep your mind positive, substitute positive thoughts for negative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/your-mind-is-like-a-garden-unless-you-cultivate-flowers-weeds-will/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, cause your mind to dwell on peace and joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/instead-of-dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-cause-your-mind-to-dwell-on/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Never think negatively, for the negative thinker does a very dangerous thing. He pumps out negative thoughts into the world around him and thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/never-think-negatively-for-the-negative-thinker-does-a-very-dangerous/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal power comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/whenever-a-negative-thought-concerning-your-personal-power-comes-to-2/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Regulations grow at the same rate as weeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-ralph-augustine/regulations-grow-at-the-same-rate-as-weeds/) [Norman Ralph Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-ralph-augustine/) > [“Weeds are job security for the gardener.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/weeds-are-job-security-for-the-gardener/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [Wanna know where the weeds at? Well I'll give u a hint. just follow the scent rising outta my tent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kottonmouth-kings/wanna-know-where-the-weeds-at-well-i-ll-give-u-a-hint-just-follow-the/) [Kottonmouth Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kottonmouth-kings/) > [“Small herbs have grace, great weeds to grow apace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/small-herbs-have-grace-great-weeds-to-grow-apace/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Don't plant your days they turn into weeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/don-t-plant-your-days-they-turn-into-weeds/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [Weeds are omnipresent; errors are to be found in the heart of the most lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sand/weeds-are-omnipresent-errors-are-to-be-found-in-the-heart-of-the-most/) [George Sand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sand/) > [“A fertile mind may still produce many weeds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/revel/a-fertile-mind-may-still-produce-many-weeds/) [Revel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/revel/) > [“I've never written a quote I feel would be suitable for my gravestone. Wouldn't it be ironic if it were this one? Oh, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/i-ve-never-written-a-quote-i-feel-would-be-suitable-for-my-gravestone/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [After Nicholas hung up the phone, he watched his mother carry buckets and garden tools across the couch grass toward a bed that would,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-m-irwin/after-nicholas-hung-up-the-phone-he-watched-his-mother-carry-buckets/) [Stephen M. Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-m-irwin/) ## More by Norman Vincent Peale > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/always-remember-there-is-more-strength-in-you-than-you-ever-realized/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [When we start focusing on things we can do and don't think so much about the things we can't do, things really start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/when-we-start-focusing-on-things-we-can-do-and-don-t-think-so-much/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The only figure in history who endures is Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-only-figure-in-history-who-endures-is-jesus/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I believe absolutely and certainly that, when you die, you will meet your loved ones and know them and be reunited with them, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/i-believe-absolutely-and-certainly-that-when-you-die-you-will-meet/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-cyclone-derives-its-powers-from-a-calm-center-so-does-a-person/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Positive Thinkers get positive results because they appreciate the inestimable value of a day, this day, not the next day, but this day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/positive-thinkers-get-positive-results-because-they-appreciate-the/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [It takes struggle, a goal and enthusiasm to make a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-takes-struggle-a-goal-and-enthusiasm-to-make-a-champion/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” JOB 22:21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/submit-to-god-and-be-at-peace-with-him-in-this-way-prosperity-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Scatter good will and love and prayers all around, everywhere, and you will be astonished, not only by what it does for other people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/scatter-good-will-and-love-and-prayers-all-around-everywhere-and-you/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Stand up to an obstacle. Just stand up to it, that's all, and don't give way under it, and it will finally break. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/stand-up-to-an-obstacle-just-stand-up-to-it-that-s-all-and-don-t-give/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Never allow sick attitudes to poison your thinking, nor let ill will make you ill. Avoid making your mind sore by that painful rehurting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/never-allow-sick-attitudes-to-poison-your-thinking-nor-let-ill-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively. Believe it is possible to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/how-you-think-about-a-problem-is-more-important-than-the-problem/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Explore all 487 Norman Vincent Peale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## More Dwelling quotes > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dwelling-on-the-negative-simply-contributes-to-its-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The concept of country, homeland, dwelling place becomes simplified as "the environment" -- that is, what surrounds us, we have already made a profound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-concept-of-country-homeland-dwelling-place-becomes-simplified-as/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The incorruptible things are all within the narrow gate. The peace of God which passed all understanding - the bright hope of good things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-incorruptible-things-are-all-within-the-narrow-gate-the-peace-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You will find a spring by the dwelling of the dead, to the left. Next to it stands a white cypress. Do not approach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustaw-herling-grudzinski/you-will-find-a-spring-by-the-dwelling-of-the-dead-to-the-left-next/) [Gustaw Herling-Grudzinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustaw-herling-grudzinski/) > [We do not dwell in the Palace of Truth. But, as was mentioned to me not long since, "There is a time coming when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-heaviside/we-do-not-dwell-in-the-palace-of-truth-but-as-was-mentioned-to-me-not/) [Oliver Heaviside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-heaviside/) > [The extinction of Homo Sapiens would mean survival for millions, if not billions, of Earth-dwelling species. Phasing out the human race will solve every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-newkirk/the-extinction-of-homo-sapiens-would-mean-survival-for-millions-if/) [Ingrid Newkirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-newkirk/) > [My journey deep into coma, outside this lowly physical realm and into the loftiest dwelling place of the almighty Creator, revealed the indescribably immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eben-alexander/my-journey-deep-into-coma-outside-this-lowly-physical-realm-and-into/) [Eben Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eben-alexander/) > [There is no art or science that is too difficult for industry to attain to; it is the gift of tongues, and makes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hyde-1st-earl-of-clarendon/there-is-no-art-or-science-that-is-too-difficult-for-industry-to/) [Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hyde-1st-earl-of-clarendon/) > [But when you dwell in a house you mislike, you will look out of a window a deal more than those that are content…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-webb/but-when-you-dwell-in-a-house-you-mislike-you-will-look-out-of-a/) [Mary Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-webb/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Magnus shrugged. "He also made inappropriate amorous advances to a startled grandmotherly sort selling flowers, an Irish wolfhound, and innocent hat stand in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/magnus-shrugged-he-also-made-inappropriate-amorous-advances-to-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I have felt a presence that disturbs me with the joy of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime of something far more deeply interfused, whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/i-have-felt-a-presence-that-disturbs-me-with-the-joy-of-elevated/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [Our lives are full of supposes. Suppose this should happen, or suppose that should happen; what could we do; how could we bear it?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-whitall-smith/our-lives-are-full-of-supposes-suppose-this-should-happen-or-suppose/) [Hannah Whitall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-whitall-smith/) > [Perhaps my early problems with dyslexia made me more intuitive: when someone sends me a written proposal, rather than dwelling on detailed facts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/perhaps-my-early-problems-with-dyslexia-made-me-more-intuitive-when/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) [Browse all 421 Dwelling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Norman Vincent Peale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fertilizing-weeds/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dwelling" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fertilizing-weeds/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/norman-vincent-peale-539_dwelling_dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fe_1994536.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.” — Norman Vincent Peale", "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": "Norman Vincent Peale", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Dwelling on negative thoughts is like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fertilizing-weeds/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/dwelling-on-negative-thoughts-is-like-fertilizing-weeds/#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 } } ] } ```