--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who run their races for the…" description: "\"“Those who run their races for the approval of others will be constantly running—never able to finally cross the finish line.”\" — Paul Chappell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg" --- # Those who run their races for the approval of others will… ![“Those who run their races for the approval of others will be constantly running—never able to finally cross the finish line.” quote by Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg) > ““Those who run their races for the approval of others will be constantly running—never able to finally cross the finish line.”” [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Chasing others’ approval leads to endless effort, preventing true fulfillment and personal achievement. **In simple terms:** Seeking approval keeps you running without ever finishing. Key Takeaway Focus on personal goals, not external validation. Themes self approval achievement fulfillment motivation Mood motivational reflective empowering Type philosophical inspirational personal When to use this quote - personal projects - career planning - creative pursuits - self‑reflection Key Concepts self‑determination psychology of validation goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What would you achieve if you stopped seeking approval? - How can you measure success internally? A Different Perspective External pressures can be hard to ignore. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approval of others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval-of-others/) [Finish line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finish-line/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [The weather plays a very big role. I have run very few races in the raining and the cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rudisha/the-weather-plays-a-very-big-role-i-have-run-very-few-races-in-the/) [David Rudisha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rudisha/) > [I have always liked sport and only played or run races for the fun of the thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-thorpe/i-have-always-liked-sport-and-only-played-or-run-races-for-the-fun-of/) [Jim Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-thorpe/) > [If you put down a good, solid foundation and build one room after another, pretty soon you have a house. You build in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-dixon/if-you-put-down-a-good-solid-foundation-and-build-one-room-after/) Rod Dixon > [I'm constantly running to meetings outside of the office, and I think that you can't go wrong with a great pair of Lanvin pumps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-hyman/i-m-constantly-running-to-meetings-outside-of-the-office-and-i-think/) [Jennifer Hyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-hyman/) > [When I am constantly running there is no time for being. When there is no time for being there is no time for listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/when-i-am-constantly-running-there-is-no-time-for-being-when-there-is/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [You may drive out nature with a pitchfork, yet she'll be constantly running back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/you-may-drive-out-nature-with-a-pitchfork-yet-she-ll-be-constantly/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [I'm constantly running across people who have never heard of books I think they should read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/i-m-constantly-running-across-people-who-have-never-heard-of-books-i/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [I am constantly running around, so if I can take a couple hours to pamper myself, I will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-bronfman/i-am-constantly-running-around-so-if-i-can-take-a-couple-hours-to/) [Hannah Bronfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-bronfman/) > [“If you commit to giving more time than you have to spend, you will constantly be running from time debt collectors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-grace-saunders/if-you-commit-to-giving-more-time-than-you-have-to-spend-you-will/) [Elizabeth Grace Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-grace-saunders/) > [“It seemed so natural, receiving it, watching others receive it, assuming that the approval of others determined our worth. Then one day we found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/it-seemed-so-natural-receiving-it-watching-others-receive-it-assuming/) [Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/) > [Self-approval is acquired mainly from the approval of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/self-approval-is-acquired-mainly-from-the-approval-of-other-people/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [No effective guidance will ever be achieved by seeking approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-effective-guidance-will-ever-be-achieved-by-seeking-approval-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A man doesn't require the approval of others. He's willing to follow his heart wherever it leads him. When a man is following his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-pavlina/a-man-doesn-t-require-the-approval-of-others-he-s-willing-to-follow/) [Steve Pavlina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-pavlina/) > [Lord help me to work on giving, praying and fasting without seeking approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lord-help-me-to-work-on-giving-praying-and-fasting-without-seeking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people lower their own self esteem simply by seeking approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-lower-their-own-self-esteem-simply-by-seeking-approval-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Paul Chappell > [“The church belongs to Jesus—and its growth and health depend fully upon His power and our obedience to Him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/the-church-belongs-to-jesus-and-its-growth-and-health-depend-fully/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“The spies, sent to search out the Promised Land, could be likened to a Baptist committee. Instead of looking to God’s promises, they fed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/the-spies-sent-to-search-out-the-promised-land-could-be-likened-to-a/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Circumstances will discourage you. People will disappoint you. Emotions will lie to you. Relationships will mislead you. Imagination will deceive you. Life will mistreat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/circumstances-will-discourage-you-people-will-disappoint-you-emotions/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Anything done in our own strength will fail miserably, or succeed even more miserably.”—Unknown”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/anything-done-in-our-own-strength-will-fail-miserably-or-succeed-even/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Circumstances will discourage you. People will disappoint you. Emotions will lie to you. Relationships will mislead you. Imagination will deceive you. Life will mistreat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/circumstances-will-discourage-you-people-will-disappoint-you-emotions-2/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Pride is the independence that says we do not need counsel, accountability, or heart-checks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/pride-is-the-independence-that-says-we-do-not-need-counsel/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“The work of God requires stamina. Nehemiah sustained his stamina even through staggering difficulties. He persisted through both ridicule and discouragement, and he remained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/the-work-of-god-requires-stamina-nehemiah-sustained-his-stamina-even/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“This presence of the Son of God is a reality—every moment of every day. When we recognize that He is always with us, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/this-presence-of-the-son-of-god-is-a-reality-every-moment-of-every/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Ultimately, if the Lord doesn’t build the house (or the Sunday school class, or the church, or the family, or the business, or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/ultimately-if-the-lord-doesn-t-build-the-house-or-the-sunday-school/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Are you facing a trial today? Perhaps fog is hiding the path of life from you and you don’t know which way to go.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/are-you-facing-a-trial-today-perhaps-fog-is-hiding-the-path-of-life/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Leaders who finish well have the faith to trust God’s Word—its promises and its commands. They are willing to step out in faith, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/leaders-who-finish-well-have-the-faith-to-trust-god-s-word-its/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Some of the greatest advice I’ve ever been given was from Dr. Lee Roberson when he told me, “Die to self! Die to criticism;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/some-of-the-greatest-advice-i-ve-ever-been-given-was-from-dr-lee/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) > [“Satan’s earliest expression of pride was really an expression of independence from God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/satan-s-earliest-expression-of-pride-was-really-an-expression-of/) [Paul Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) [Explore all 14 Paul Chappell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/) ## More Approval of others quotes > [Some people lower their own self esteem simply by seeking approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-lower-their-own-self-esteem-simply-by-seeking-approval-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Lord help me to work on giving, praying and fasting without seeking approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lord-help-me-to-work-on-giving-praying-and-fasting-without-seeking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A man doesn't require the approval of others. He's willing to follow his heart wherever it leads him. When a man is following his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-pavlina/a-man-doesn-t-require-the-approval-of-others-he-s-willing-to-follow/) [Steve Pavlina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-pavlina/) > [No effective guidance will ever be achieved by seeking approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-effective-guidance-will-ever-be-achieved-by-seeking-approval-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Self-approval is acquired mainly from the approval of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/self-approval-is-acquired-mainly-from-the-approval-of-other-people/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It seemed so natural, receiving it, watching others receive it, assuming that the approval of others determined our worth. Then one day we found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/it-seemed-so-natural-receiving-it-watching-others-receive-it-assuming/) [Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/) > [“My thoughts are my own—I will not modify them to receive the approval of others. My feelings are my own—I will not silence them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-lynn-reilly/my-thoughts-are-my-own-i-will-not-modify-them-to-receive-the-approval/) [Patricia Lynn Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-lynn-reilly/) > [Embrace fanaticism. Harness joie de vivre by pursuing insane interests, consuming passions, and constant sources of gratification that do not depend on the approval…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/embrace-fanaticism-harness-joie-de-vivre-by-pursuing-insane-interests/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [“The dismal fact is that self-respect has nothing to do with the approval of others — who are, after all, deceived easily enough; has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/the-dismal-fact-is-that-self-respect-has-nothing-to-do-with-the/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“A balanced inner calmness radiates from a peaceful centre. It neither craves others' approval nor rejects others' presence. It neither pulls towards nor pushes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/a-balanced-inner-calmness-radiates-from-a-peaceful-centre-it-neither/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [Seeking approval of others is away to avoid how deeply we disapprove of ourselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/seeking-approval-of-others-is-away-to-avoid-how-deeply-we-disapprove/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Too many people base their worth and value on what other people think of them. They worry if others like them, approve of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/too-many-people-base-their-worth-and-value-on-what-other-people-think/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Happiness means loving yourself and being less concerned with the approval of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-barton/happiness-means-loving-yourself-and-being-less-concerned-with-the/) [Karina Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-barton/) > [“To be mad is to feel with excruciating intensity the sadness and joy of a time which has not arrived or has already been.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/to-be-mad-is-to-feel-with-excruciating-intensity-the-sadness-and-joy/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [Funny how my world improved immediately when I stopped seeking approval of others and began approving of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/funny-how-my-world-improved-immediately-when-i-stopped-seeking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 97 Approval of others quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval-of-others/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Those who run their races for the approval of others will be constantly running—never able to finally cross the finish line.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Chappell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approval-of-others-will-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Approval of others" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approval-of-others-will-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/paul-chappell-33692_approval-of-others_those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approv_1225619.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those who run their races for the approval of others will be constantly running—never able to finally cross…” — Paul Chappell", "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": "Paul Chappell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-chappell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Those who run their races for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approval-of-others-will-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-chappell/those-who-run-their-races-for-the-approval-of-others-will-be/#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 } } ] } ```