--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I need to deny them the power to control…" description: "\"“I need to deny them the power to control me. I need to know I am stronger than they are.”\" — Veronica Roth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/veronica-roth-66_deny_i-need-to-deny-them-the-power-to-control_2631922.png" --- # I need to deny them the power to control me. I need to… ![“I need to deny them the power to control me. I need to know I am stronger than they are.” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/veronica-roth-66_deny_i-need-to-deny-them-the-power-to-control_2631922.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/veronica-roth-66_deny_i-need-to-deny-them-the-power-to-control_2631922.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/veronica-roth-66_deny_i-need-to-deny-them-the-power-to-control_2631922.png) > ““I need to deny them the power to control me. I need to know I am stronger than they are.”” [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal empowerment comes from denying others' control and recognizing inner strength. **In simple terms:** Take back power; trust your strength. Key Takeaway Assert autonomy, build self‑confidence. Themes empowerment control strength self‑esteem Mood reflective assertive Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - overcoming manipulation - setting boundaries - self‑advocacy Key Concepts psychology personal development Questions to Reflect On - Who holds power over you? - How can you reinforce your inner strength? A Different Perspective Strength alone may not overcome systemic oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tobias/) ## Related quotes > [“...What am I? What do I need, to overcome my fears? I know the answer, of course I do: I need to deny them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-am-i-what-do-i-need-to-overcome-my-fears-i-know-the-answer-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I deny the power of the general government to making paper money, or anything else a legal tender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-deny-the-power-of-the-general-government-to-making-paper-money-or/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When you deny something your power is much more conspicuous than when you approve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-voinovich/when-you-deny-something-your-power-is-much-more-conspicuous-than-when/) [Vladimir Voinovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-voinovich/) > [“I find my anger ebbing away, and I'm lost in muffled grief again, this time not just for Tris, but for Uriah, whose smile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-find-my-anger-ebbing-away-and-i-m-lost-in-muffled-grief-again-this/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Can I ask why you’re throwing knives at cheese?’ ‘Caleb came by to discuss something,’ Tobias says, leaning his head against the wall as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/can-i-ask-why-you-re-throwing-knives-at-cheese-caleb-came-by-to/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We're sorry for frightening you, Tris,' another voice says, 'but anonymity is integral to our operation. We mean you no harm.' 'Let go of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-re-sorry-for-frightening-you-tris-another-voice-says-but-anonymity/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/not-like-tobias-who-is-almost-shy-when-he-smiles-like-he-is-surprised/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I just wanted to thank you' he says, his voice low. 'A group of scientists told you that my genes were damaged, that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-just-wanted-to-thank-you-he-says-his-voice-low-a-group-of-2/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I don't need to relive my fears anymore. All I need to do now is try to overcome them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-don-t-need-to-relive-my-fears-anymore-all-i-need-to-do-now-is-try/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [She must love me, to worry about me. She must still be capable of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/she-must-love-me-to-worry-about-me-she-must-still-be-capable-of-love/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You may have succeeded in shutting down the attack simulation, girl, but it was by luck alone, not skill. I would die of shock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-may-have-succeeded-in-shutting-down-the-attack-simulation-girl/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [If we stay together, I'll have to forgive you over and over again, and if you're still in this, you'll have to forgive me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/if-we-stay-together-i-ll-have-to-forgive-you-over-and-over-again-and/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What do--" Tobias's voice. Tobias! "Oh my God. Oh--" "Spare me your blubbering, okay? Peter says. "She's not dead; she's just paralyzed. It'll only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-tobias-s-voice-tobias-oh-my-god-oh-spare-me-your-blubbering/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [All I want is to become someone new. In this case, Tobias Johnson, son of Evelyn Johnson. Tobias Johnson may have lived a dull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/all-i-want-is-to-become-someone-new-in-this-case-tobias-johnson-son/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I just wanted to thank you," he says, his voice low. "A group of scientists told you that my genes were damaged, that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-just-wanted-to-thank-you-he-says-his-voice-low-a-group-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## More by Veronica Roth > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Soon I will honor my parents by dying as they died. and if all they believed about death was true, soon I will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/soon-i-will-honor-my-parents-by-dying-as-they-died-and-if-all-they/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Mas lembre-se, já agora, que por vezes as pessoas que oprimimos tornam-se mais poderosas do que nós gostaríamos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/mas-lembre-se-j-agora-que-por-vezes-as-pessoas-que-oprimimos-tornam/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“am aware of how little space there is between us—six inches at most. That space feels charged with electricity. I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## More Deny quotes > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [Shhh.” He put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out. I cannot deny that I would've liked to have made babies with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shhh-he-put-a-finger-to-her-lips-hear-me-out-i-cannot-deny-that-i/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [A lost love. Deny it who will, ridicule it, treat it as mere imagination and sentiment, the thing is and will be; and women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/a-lost-love-deny-it-who-will-ridicule-it-treat-it-as-mere-imagination/) [Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/) > [One cannot deny the humanity of another without diminishing one's own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/one-cannot-deny-the-humanity-of-another-without-diminishing-one-s-own/) [James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/) > [Not to fear a person with power--to profess, instead, one's love--is to deny that that person has power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-lowen/not-to-fear-a-person-with-power-to-profess-instead-one-s-love-is-to/) [Alexander Lowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-lowen/) > [Grace is ours. Let's live it! Deny it or debate it and we kill it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/grace-is-ours-let-s-live-it-deny-it-or-debate-it-and-we-kill-it/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Our life is half natural and half technological. Half-and-half is good. You cannot deny that high-tech is progress. We need it for jobs. Yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nam-june-paik/our-life-is-half-natural-and-half-technological-half-and-half-is-good/) [Nam June Paik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nam-june-paik/) > [Whether you face reality head on and make a life change, or deny your responsibility, you've made a choice. The way I see it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-phillips/whether-you-face-reality-head-on-and-make-a-life-change-or-deny-your/) [Shawn Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-phillips/) > [“I've tried to deny it even to myself... My heart and soul are filled with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-thacker/i-ve-tried-to-deny-it-even-to-myself-my-heart-and-soul-are-filled/) [Shelly Thacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-thacker/) > [“Just because you deny facts and science doesn't mean they aren't true”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-corn/just-because-you-deny-facts-and-science-doesn-t-mean-they-aren-t-true/) [Johnny Corn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-corn/) > [I do not believe that defending traditional marriage between one man and one woman excludes anybody or usurps anybody's civil rights and denies anybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-autry/i-do-not-believe-that-defending-traditional-marriage-between-one-man/) [Alan Autry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-autry/) > [Peace in the struggle to find peace.. comfort on the way to comfort. And if I shed a tear I won't cage it I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/peace-in-the-struggle-to-find-peace-comfort-on-the-way-to-comfort-and/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [I'm saying that the domain of poetry includes both oral & written forms, that poetry goes back to a pre-literate situation & would survive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-rothenberg/i-m-saying-that-the-domain-of-poetry-includes-both-oral-written-forms/) Jerome Rothenberg > [It is the night-black Massachusetts legendry which packs the really macabre "kick". Here is material for a really profound study in group-neuroticism; for certainly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/it-is-the-night-black-massachusetts-legendry-which-packs-the-really/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [Something very unique about Germany is that once you are suspected or accused of having worked for the Stassi, it doesn't matter if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-schwochow/something-very-unique-about-germany-is-that-once-you-are-suspected-or/) [Christian Schwochow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-schwochow/) Browse all 2,237 Deny quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I need to deny them the power to control me. 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