--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You think my first instinct is to protect…" description: "\"“You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a stiff. But you're wrong. My first instinct is to push you until y..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/veronica-roth-66_instinct_you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protec_2542660.png" --- # You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because… ![“You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a stiff. But you're wrong. My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to see how hard I have to press. But I resist it.” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/veronica-roth-66_instinct_you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protec_2542660.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/veronica-roth-66_instinct_you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protec_2542660.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/veronica-roth-66_instinct_you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protec_2542660.png) > ““You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a stiff. But you're wrong. My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to see how hard I have to press. But I resist it.”” [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. The speaker reveals that their instinct is to test someone’s limits rather than protect them, exposing a harsh, perhaps abusive, drive to see how much pressure can be applied. **In simple terms:** Instinct is to push, not protect. Key Takeaway Beware of harmful testing. Themes power control abuse Mood cautionary somber Type psychological social When to use this quote - parenting - mentorship - team leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts Psychology of dominance relationship dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Why do we sometimes test others harshly? - How can we foster supportive instincts? A Different Perspective Such testing can cause lasting damage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) ## Related quotes > [“You think my first instinct is to protect you because you are small or a girl or a stiff, but you are wrong. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protect-you-because-you-are-small/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [My first instinct is to push you until you break just to see how hard I have to press.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/my-first-instinct-is-to-push-you-until-you-break-just-to-see-how-hard/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You don't think. It's all instinct. If you stop to think, you're gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/you-don-t-think-it-s-all-instinct-if-you-stop-to-think-you-re-gone/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [“You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you're wrong." He leans his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protect-you-because-you-re-small-or-3/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you're wrong." He leans his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-think-my-first-instinct-is-to-protect-you-because-you-re-small-or/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [When you want something so bad and when something great happens, I think it's instinct that you say, 'This is gonna be the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-smalls/when-you-want-something-so-bad-and-when-something-great-happens-i/) [Joan Smalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-smalls/) > [We accept the need to train extensively to fly a plane; but think instinct should be enough for marrying and raising kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/we-accept-the-need-to-train-extensively-to-fly-a-plane-but-think/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [Friends sometimes ask me, 'When you get the ball what are you thinking?' But you do not have time to think. You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-rakitic/friends-sometimes-ask-me-when-you-get-the-ball-what-are-you-thinking/) [Ivan Rakitic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-rakitic/) > [I always think instinct is more interesting than anything you can think up. I mistrust and am rather bored with actors who are of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denholm-elliott/i-always-think-instinct-is-more-interesting-than-anything-you-can/) [Denholm Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denholm-elliott/) > [I think that instinct, that storytelling instinct, rescued me most of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armistead-maupin/i-think-that-instinct-that-storytelling-instinct-rescued-me-most-of/) [Armistead Maupin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armistead-maupin/) > [Mothers instinct...Protect her child at all cost...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mothers-instinct-protect-her-child-at-all-cost/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A dragons first instinct is to protect and defend. Its not your fault.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-knoebel/a-dragons-first-instinct-is-to-protect-and-defend-its-not-your-fault/) [Candace Knoebel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-knoebel/) > [~My instinct is to protect my children from pain. But adversity is often the thing that gives us character and backbone. It's always been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/my-instinct-is-to-protect-my-children-from-pain-but-adversity-is/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [I guess everyone has their reasons for keeping people away, an instinct to protect yourself from getting hurt. It's part of human nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/i-guess-everyone-has-their-reasons-for-keeping-people-away-an/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [“It’s smart to want to be safe. It’s a natural instinct. If we protect ourselves—our bodies, our minds, our hearts—we can avoid all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roni-loren/it-s-smart-to-want-to-be-safe-it-s-a-natural-instinct-if-we-protect/) [Roni Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roni-loren/) ## 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 Instinct quotes > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/imitation-is-the-first-instinct-of-the-awakening-mind/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-be-myself-for-good-or-ill-and-see-what/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [You don't think. It's all instinct. If you stop to think, you're gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/you-don-t-think-it-s-all-instinct-if-you-stop-to-think-you-re-gone/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [The dog is guided by kindly instinct to the man or woman whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [As a kid, in the Runaways, I would see the interviewers start to ask about our personal lives and what we did — and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/as-a-kid-in-the-runaways-i-would-see-the-interviewers-start-to-ask/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved-each-other-they-had-simply/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [You have to follow your instinct, and that's what I've tried to do all my life, whether in music or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erol-alkan/you-have-to-follow-your-instinct-and-that-s-what-i-ve-tried-to-do-all/) [Erol Alkan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erol-alkan/) > [A man may quarrel with himself alone; that is, by controverting his better instincts and knowledge when brought face to face with temptation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/a-man-may-quarrel-with-himself-alone-that-is-by-controverting-his/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-never-been-a-quitter-to-leave-office-before-my-term-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/all-men-have-an-instinct-for-conflict-at-least-all-healthy-men/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [There was the natural human survival instinct to be optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-demick/there-was-the-natural-human-survival-instinct-to-be-optimistic/) [Barbara Demick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-demick/) > [The combative instinct is a savage prompting by which one man's good is found in another's evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/the-combative-instinct-is-a-savage-prompting-by-which-one-man-s-good/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) [Browse all 2,940 Instinct quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You think my first instinct is to protect you. 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