--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What makes me say these things is that I…" description: "\"“What makes me say these things is that I see how much you care about the way people look at you. It matters too much to you. And there are people who ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/saul-bellow-558_psychology_what-makes-me-say-these-things-is-that-i_1040344.png" --- # What makes me say these things is that I see how much you… ![“What makes me say these things is that I see how much you care about the way people look at you. It matters too much to you. And there are people who take advantage of that. They haven't got anything of their own and they'll leave you nothing for yourself. They want to put themselves in your…” quote by Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/saul-bellow-558_psychology_what-makes-me-say-these-things-is-that-i_1040344.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/saul-bellow-558_psychology_what-makes-me-say-these-things-is-that-i_1040344.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/saul-bellow-558_psychology_what-makes-me-say-these-things-is-that-i_1040344.png) > ““What makes me say these things is that I see how much you care about the way people look at you. It matters too much to you. And there are people who take advantage of that. They haven't got anything of their own and they'll leave you nothing for yourself. They want to put themselves in your thoughts and in your mind, and that you should care for them. It's a sickness. But they don't want you to care for them as they really are. No, that's the whole stunt. You have to be conscious of them, but not as they are, only as they love to be seen. They live through observation by the ones around them, and they want you to live like that too. Augie darling, don't do it. They will make you suffer from what they are. And you don't really matter to them.”” [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People may exploit others’ desire for validation, projecting a false self to gain control, leading to emotional manipulation and suffering. **In simple terms:** Some manipulate others by feeding their need for approval. Key Takeaway Beware of those who seek to shape your self‑image. Themes manipulation validation self‑image awareness Mood cautious thoughtful Type psychological advisory When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace - social media - family - therapy Key Concepts psychology social dynamics emotional health Questions to Reflect On - Who in your life seeks validation? - How can you protect your sense of self? A Different Perspective Not all attention‑seeking behavior is malicious; intentions vary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [No reason why anyone should fall from the eyes, Oh, wretched people who take advantage of this limitation, and the desire to rise above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/no-reason-why-anyone-should-fall-from-the-eyes-oh-wretched-people-who/) Mak\_786 > [Why are subjects like Common Sense, Humanity, and Simple Acts of Kindness not taught in school? 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Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) ## More by Saul Bellow > [... a fellow can't predict what he will pick up in the form of influence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/a-fellow-can-t-predict-what-he-will-pick-up-in-the-form-of-influence/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [If I'm out of my mind, it's all right with me, thought Moses Herzog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/if-i-m-out-of-my-mind-it-s-all-right-with-me-thought-moses-herzog/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [I have begun in old age to understand just how oddly we are all put together. 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They want to put themselves in your thoughts and in your mind, and that you should care for them. It's a sickness. But they don't want you to care for them as they really are. No, that's the whole stunt. You have to be conscious of them, but not as they are, only as they love to be seen. They live through observation by the ones around them, and they want you to live like that too. Augie darling, don't do it. They will make you suffer from what they are. 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