--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a source of power and entertainment…" description: "\"“It is a source of power and entertainment for a toxic person to destroy an originally healthy and happy person. This point is often missed by survivor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/shannon-thomas-3888_abuse_it-is-a-source-of-power-and-entertainmen_413432.jpg" --- # It is a source of power and entertainment for a toxic… ![“It is a source of power and entertainment for a toxic person to destroy an originally healthy and happy person. This point is often missed by survivors because in the middle of the abuse, they see themselves as broken. Since the abuser says such hateful things, the survivor assumes they were…” quote by Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/shannon-thomas-3888_abuse_it-is-a-source-of-power-and-entertainmen_413432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/shannon-thomas-3888_abuse_it-is-a-source-of-power-and-entertainmen_413432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/shannon-thomas-3888_abuse_it-is-a-source-of-power-and-entertainmen_413432.jpg) > ““It is a source of power and entertainment for a toxic person to destroy an originally healthy and happy person. This point is often missed by survivors because in the middle of the abuse, they see themselves as broken. Since the abuser says such hateful things, the survivor assumes they were targeted because they are “weak.” That is the exact opposite of the truth.”” [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Abusers gain power by breaking a survivor’s self‑image, causing them to feel weak and broken. **In simple terms:** Abusers feel strong by making victims feel weak. Key Takeaway Recognize that feeling broken is a manipulation, not truth. Themes abuse power dynamics self‑esteem survivor resilience Mood reflective hopeful empowering Type advice psychological motivational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - support groups - self‑help reading - friend conversations Key Concepts psychology toxic relationships identity control Questions to Reflect On - How can you separate the abuser’s narrative from your own worth? - What evidence shows you are not weak? A Different Perspective Survivors may internalize abuse, making recovery harder. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Abuser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuser/) [Happy person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-person/) [Healthy and happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthy-and-happy/) [Toxic Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toxic-person/) ## Related quotes > [“Your loved one was authentic in his or her feelings towards the other person. However, your loved one met a con-artist. The other person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/your-loved-one-was-authentic-in-his-or-her-feelings-towards-the-other/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“The key is to not follow the toxic person into their vortex of lies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/the-key-is-to-not-follow-the-toxic-person-into-their-vortex-of-lies/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Survivors are wise to not fall into the trap of second guessing all of their actions because it is likely they could never show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/survivors-are-wise-to-not-fall-into-the-trap-of-second-guessing-all/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“The survivor delivers this message in a firm and clear tone of voice, not mad or screaming. Just stating the facts. Take it or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/the-survivor-delivers-this-message-in-a-firm-and-clear-tone-of-voice/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Survivors often get to a point in recovery where they can predict the responses of the toxic person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/survivors-often-get-to-a-point-in-recovery-where-they-can-predict-the/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Rarely does a toxic person give an authentic apology. To do so would be too much evidence that they are just like everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/rarely-does-a-toxic-person-give-an-authentic-apology-to-do-so-would/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Toxic people have an incredible ability to triangulate their helpers into abusing survivors. This is done on purpose so the toxic person’s hands stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/toxic-people-have-an-incredible-ability-to-triangulate-their-helpers/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [To be healthy and happy, a person must live a life that includes a good variety of activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/to-be-healthy-and-happy-a-person-must-live-a-life-that-includes-a/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [“Of all the offenses an abuser puts a target through, I am most deeply outraged by the stealing of goodness. It offends me at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/of-all-the-offenses-an-abuser-puts-a-target-through-i-am-most-deeply/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“The level of impact on a target’s life will also be different depending on whether the abuse took place in a marriage or relationship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/the-level-of-impact-on-a-target-s-life-will-also-be-different/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Frequently, the emotional homicide is happening while other people go on clamoring about what a great guy or gal the abuser is and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/frequently-the-emotional-homicide-is-happening-while-other-people-go/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Each one of us is more likely to believe someone when they point out our flaws and can connect what we know to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/each-one-of-us-is-more-likely-to-believe-someone-when-they-point-out/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“People should never underestimate a psychological abuser’s ability to hide the truth. They are not even honest with themselves and truly believe their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/people-should-never-underestimate-a-psychological-abuser-s-ability-to/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“When an abuser gaslights, he or she sets up situations to make the target doubt their own memories and assessments of situations. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/when-an-abuser-gaslights-he-or-she-sets-up-situations-to-make-the/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“A psychological abuser will find a survivor’s emotional soft spots and exploit them for control and entertainment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/a-psychological-abuser-will-find-a-survivor-s-emotional-soft-spots/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) ## More by Shannon Thomas > [“By the time survivors are compelled to leave their psychologically abusive relationships, they do not see any other viable option but to leave. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/by-the-time-survivors-are-compelled-to-leave-their-psychologically/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“This is because in the legalistic church, God (or pronounced “Gawd” if you’re in the southern regions of the country) is coming to smite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/this-is-because-in-the-legalistic-church-god-or-pronounced-gawd-if/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“A psychological abuser will find a survivor’s emotional soft spots and exploit them for control and entertainment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/a-psychological-abuser-will-find-a-survivor-s-emotional-soft-spots/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Toxic people are great actors. They will utilize whichever props are available to maintain control in the relationship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/toxic-people-are-great-actors-they-will-utilize-whichever-props-are/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“If we have a high level of emotional capacity, it predisposes us to stay in abusive environments longer. That is not a great thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/if-we-have-a-high-level-of-emotional-capacity-it-predisposes-us-to/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“A Sociopath will run you over, scold you for being in their way, and have a smirk because secretly they get entertainment out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/a-sociopath-will-run-you-over-scold-you-for-being-in-their-way-and/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Toxic people absolutely refuse to have normal human flaws and weaknesses. They do not see themselves as average people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/toxic-people-absolutely-refuse-to-have-normal-human-flaws-and/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Some people wonder if abusers can feel love or affection for their targets. The answer to that depends on your own definition of love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/some-people-wonder-if-abusers-can-feel-love-or-affection-for-their/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Some are quietly deteriorating the person’s self-esteem through the emotional game of abandonment. Being present physically but checked out emotionally is not a marriage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/some-are-quietly-deteriorating-the-person-s-self-esteem-through-the/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Denial is a powerful human component that cannot be ignored in the context of psychological abuse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/denial-is-a-powerful-human-component-that-cannot-be-ignored-in-the/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Tenderness from empaths will be used against them time and time again by psychological abusers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/tenderness-from-empaths-will-be-used-against-them-time-and-time-again/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“When an abuser gaslights, he or she sets up situations to make the target doubt their own memories and assessments of situations. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/when-an-abuser-gaslights-he-or-she-sets-up-situations-to-make-the/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“I use the term survivor to describe what some might call a victim. I hope you can embrace the word survivor because it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/i-use-the-term-survivor-to-describe-what-some-might-call-a-victim-i/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Unraveling the lies and replacing them with truth is at the heart of the recovery journey for survivors of psychological abuse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/unraveling-the-lies-and-replacing-them-with-truth-is-at-the-heart-of/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“Your loved one was authentic in his or her feelings towards the other person. However, your loved one met a con-artist. The other person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/your-loved-one-was-authentic-in-his-or-her-feelings-towards-the-other/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) [Explore all 120 Shannon Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is a source of power and entertainment for a toxic person to destroy an originally healthy and happy person. This point is often missed by survivors because in the middle of the abuse, they see themselves as broken. 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