--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Refusing to ask for help when you need it…" description: "\"Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.\" — Ric Ocasek" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg" --- # Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing… ![“Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.” quote by Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg) > “Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.” [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Not asking for help denies others the chance to assist. **In simple terms:** Seek help, give others purpose. Key Takeaway Ask when needed, empower others. Themes help humility community Mood reflective supportive Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - workplace - mental health - personal projects Key Concepts interdependence psychology Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to ask? - How does offering help affect relationships? A Different Perspective Some may feel burdened by constant requests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ask for help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-for-help/) [Ask Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-help/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Helpful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helpful/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Need Refusing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-refusing-5738370/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Refusing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refusing/) [Refusing Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refusing-ask-5738371/) [Refusing Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refusing-chance-5738372/) [Volunteer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volunteer/) ## Related quotes > [“When you refuse to ask for help, it tells others that they also shouldn't ask for help from you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/when-you-refuse-to-ask-for-help-it-tells-others-that-they-also/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [“I didn’t tell the story to ask for help because I knew there was no help.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/i-didn-t-tell-the-story-to-ask-for-help-because-i-knew-there-was-no/) [China Miéville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [I wanna say to anybody that's trying to come up and go viral, push forward. Don't stop. Don't wait for nobody. Do it yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fivio-foreign/i-wanna-say-to-anybody-that-s-trying-to-come-up-and-go-viral-push/) [Fivio Foreign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fivio-foreign/) > [“Be strong enough to stand on your own two feet, but wise enough to know when to ask for help.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sonnenberg/be-strong-enough-to-stand-on-your-own-two-feet-but-wise-enough-to/) [Frank Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sonnenberg/) > [“You can’t do everything for everyone, not even for yourself. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/you-can-t-do-everything-for-everyone-not-even-for-yourself-it-s-okay/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [Ask for help. Not because you are weak. But because you want to remain strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-brown/ask-for-help-not-because-you-are-weak-but-because-you-want-to-remain/) [Les Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-brown/) > [The best advice I can give to anyone going through a rough patch is to never be afraid to ask for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/the-best-advice-i-can-give-to-anyone-going-through-a-rough-patch-is/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Ask for help when you need it. Even from your parents. There is no shame in needing help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ask-for-help-when-you-need-it-even-from-your-parents-there-is-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the biggest defects in life is the inability to ask for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/one-of-the-biggest-defects-in-life-is-the-inability-to-ask-for-help/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [When you ask for help listen. It's one thing to ask the question and it's another thing to listen to the answer. Many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/when-you-ask-for-help-listen-it-s-one-thing-to-ask-the-question-and/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [“I learned that when you ask for help it will always be given. If you try to work with spirit then they will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rathore/i-learned-that-when-you-ask-for-help-it-will-always-be-given-if-you/) [Michelle Rathore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rathore/) > [In American culture at large, but especially in African American culture, it's a sign of weakness to ask for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/in-american-culture-at-large-but-especially-in-african-american/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [“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/) > [Don't be ashamed to ask for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-ashamed-to-ask-for-help/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Is that you? When you fail, are you too humiliated or ashamed to ask for help? When you suffer, are you too embarrassed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-berg/is-that-you-when-you-fail-are-you-too-humiliated-or-ashamed-to-ask/) [Art Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-berg/) ## More by Ric Ocasek > [I've been in a band, so I understand the politics. Sometimes the bass player doesn't like what the guitar player is doing, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/i-ve-been-in-a-band-so-i-understand-the-politics-sometimes-the-bass/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [People are strange. We're all morticians. Hey, what's on TV?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/people-are-strange-we-re-all-morticians-hey-what-s-on-tv/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [Never mind a world that can't see past brutality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/never-mind-a-world-that-can-t-see-past-brutality/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [I don't think I'm an entertainer. I never think, 'Wow, I can't wait to get the crowd moving.' Some of my favorite bands never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/i-don-t-think-i-m-an-entertainer-i-never-think-wow-i-can-t-wait-to/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [When you become tired of fitting in, is when you truly become yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/when-you-become-tired-of-fitting-in-is-when-you-truly-become-yourself/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [You almost have to force yourself to stay in a vacuum to become different - if you really want to be different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/you-almost-have-to-force-yourself-to-stay-in-a-vacuum-to-become/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [Once they're on paper, they're gone. I like to do as much with the words, as far as image goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/once-they-re-on-paper-they-re-gone-i-like-to-do-as-much-with-the/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [People tell me all the time that I look forbidding or aloof. That doesn't bother me much - I am fairly private, withdrawn, and...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/people-tell-me-all-the-time-that-i-look-forbidding-or-aloof-that/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [The most important thing to a lot of people, is to belong to something that's hip or whatever. To be a part of something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/the-most-important-thing-to-a-lot-of-people-is-to-belong-to-something/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [I'm not proud of the lyrics to 'Shake It Up.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/i-m-not-proud-of-the-lyrics-to-shake-it-up/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [The best thing you can do for a song is to hear it on the radio and to imagine what it could mean to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/the-best-thing-you-can-do-for-a-song-is-to-hear-it-on-the-radio-and/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [I've always been a fan of poetry. I grew up with Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Beat poets. I really followed that stuff for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/i-ve-always-been-a-fan-of-poetry-i-grew-up-with-lawrence-ferlinghetti/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [Sometimes you want to run away Sometimes you think you do But you never had a dream like this before And you don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/sometimes-you-want-to-run-away-sometimes-you-think-you-do-but-you/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [When I produce other people, that's the thing I can do well because I've been in a band, and I can play the political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/when-i-produce-other-people-that-s-the-thing-i-can-do-well-because-i/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [I love walking down the street and seeing faces and drama and happiness and sadness and dirt and cleanliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/i-love-walking-down-the-street-and-seeing-faces-and-drama-and/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) [Explore all 39 Ric Ocasek quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) ## More Ask for help quotes > [“What do we do in the dark night? We do nothing. We wait. We remember that we are not God. We hold on. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/what-do-we-do-in-the-dark-night-we-do-nothing-we-wait-we-remember/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [“When you refuse to ask for help, it tells others that they also shouldn't ask for help from you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/when-you-refuse-to-ask-for-help-it-tells-others-that-they-also/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [Strength wasn‘t about being able to do everything alone. Strength was knowing when to ask for help and not being too proud to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/strength-wasn-t-about-being-able-to-do-everything-alone-strength-was/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Don't be ashamed to ask for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-ashamed-to-ask-for-help/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Any fool that had once helped you will someday make known to everyone that you were once a needy. No matter how broke you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/any-fool-that-had-once-helped-you-will-someday-make-known-to-everyone/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [“Is this okay with you, Jenna? For him to stay here?" "Yeah," I said. "It's good. You have no idea what it takes for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-zarr/is-this-okay-with-you-jenna-for-him-to-stay-here-yeah-i-said-it-s/) [Sara Zarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-zarr/) > [“Weep and ask for help. Lean on me with your runny nose. Cry when you feel like crying. Laugh when you feel like laughing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sorachi-hideaki/weep-and-ask-for-help-lean-on-me-with-your-runny-nose-cry-when-you/) [Sorachi Hideaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sorachi-hideaki/) > [“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/) > [I used to think I was tough, but there's a difference between bravado and courage, and I only started to show courage when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-barnes/i-used-to-think-i-was-tough-but-there-s-a-difference-between-bravado/) [Jimmy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-barnes/) > [“Telling a true friend that you need something makes it unnecessary for you to ask them for that thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/telling-a-true-friend-that-you-need-something-makes-it-unnecessary/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > ["A closed mouth doesn't get fed." Oftentimes, we feel not worthy or we don't want to bother people. We forget to ask for help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-daniels/a-closed-mouth-doesn-t-get-fed-oftentimes-we-feel-not-worthy-or-we/) [Kevin Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-daniels/) > [In American culture at large, but especially in African American culture, it's a sign of weakness to ask for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/in-american-culture-at-large-but-especially-in-african-american/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [“I learned that when you ask for help it will always be given. If you try to work with spirit then they will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rathore/i-learned-that-when-you-ask-for-help-it-will-always-be-given-if-you/) [Michelle Rathore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rathore/) > [ “- \[Regret,Cause you didn't ask for help\] is better than \[Regret,cause you did\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-hosny/regret-cause-you-didn-t-ask-for-help-is-better-than-regret-cause-you/) [Omar Hosny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-hosny/) > [I am not embarrassed to say that when I was at my worst I took anti-depressants because I think people need to hear that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newton-john/i-am-not-embarrassed-to-say-that-when-i-was-at-my-worst-i-took-anti/) [Olivia Newton-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newton-john/) [Browse all 280 Ask for help quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-for-help/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ric Ocasek" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-it-is-refusing-someone-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ask for help" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-it-is-refusing-someone-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/ric-ocasek-16459_ask-for-help_refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-i_1540820.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.” — Ric Ocasek", "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": "Ric Ocasek", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Refusing to ask for help when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-it-is-refusing-someone-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/refusing-to-ask-for-help-when-you-need-it-is-refusing-someone-the/#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 } } ] } ```