--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People who want the most approval get the…" description: "\"People who want the most approval get the least and people who need approval the least get the most.\" — Wayne Dyer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png" --- # People who want the most approval get the least and people… ![“People who want the most approval get the least and people who need approval the least get the most.” quote by Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png) > “People who want the most approval get the least and people who need approval the least get the most.” [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Those seeking approval most often receive the least, while those indifferent to approval attract the most, suggesting detachment draws genuine respect. **In simple terms:** Chasing approval yields less; ignoring it yields more. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑approval over external validation. Themes approval self‑esteem authenticity Mood inspirational thoughtful Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - leadership - relationships - public speaking - self‑growth Key Concepts psychology personal development social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What does approval mean to you? - How can you balance confidence with humility? A Different Perspective May be misinterpreted as arrogance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [The people who receive the most approval in life are the ones who care the least about it--so technically, if you want the approval…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-people-who-receive-the-most-approval-in-life-are-the-ones-who/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [I don't need approval from people who don't know me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-don-t-need-approval-from-people-who-don-t-know-me/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [We all want approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/we-all-want-approval/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [A smile is a symbol of acceptance and approval, which is something most of the people in the world desperately need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/a-smile-is-a-symbol-of-acceptance-and-approval-which-is-something/) [Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/) > [I have never seen people who could do real work except under the stimulus of encouragement and enthusiasm and the approval of the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/i-have-never-seen-people-who-could-do-real-work-except-under-the/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [I honestly think that it was when the actual voices started to stand up for me. It was the iconic artists like Tony Bennett…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buble/i-honestly-think-that-it-was-when-the-actual-voices-started-to-stand/) [Michael Buble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buble/) > [Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehyi-hsieh/lean-too-much-on-the-approval-of-people-and-it-becomes-a-bed-of-thorns/) [Tehyi Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehyi-hsieh/) > [I'm still at the age where I'm constantly seeking approval of people I have respect for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-paulina-sumner/i-m-still-at-the-age-where-i-m-constantly-seeking-approval-of-people/) [Eliot Paulina Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliot-paulina-sumner/) > [Self-approval is acquired mainly from the approval of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/self-approval-is-acquired-mainly-from-the-approval-of-other-people/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [When you do not seek or need approval, you are at your most powerful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/when-you-do-not-seek-or-need-approval-you-are-at-your-most-powerful/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [I need what I'm thinking to come out into the world, even if it's a two-word approval, like, "Yeah, I agree," I need that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-yelchin/i-need-what-i-m-thinking-to-come-out-into-the-world-even-if-it-s-a/) [Anton Yelchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-yelchin/) > [I don't need anyone's approval for going to elections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/i-don-t-need-anyone-s-approval-for-going-to-elections/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [I try to be feminist in, like, I love myself and I don't need someone else's approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-lee/i-try-to-be-feminist-in-like-i-love-myself-and-i-don-t-need-someone/) [Amy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-lee/) > [I'm needy, I need approval in everything I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-wallace/i-m-needy-i-need-approval-in-everything-i-do/) [Gregg Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-wallace/) > [When I visit local communities, people often complain that they need the approval of several dozen government departments to get something done or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-keqiang/when-i-visit-local-communities-people-often-complain-that-they-need/) [Li Keqiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-keqiang/) ## More by Wayne Dyer > [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/be-in-a-state-of-gratitude-for-everything-that-shows-up-in-your-life/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [While the world of reality has its limits, the world of your imagination is without boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/while-the-world-of-reality-has-its-limits-the-world-of-your/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Trusting yourself is trusting the wisdom that created you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/trusting-yourself-is-trusting-the-wisdom-that-created-you/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [When I get on the dance floor, my purpose in being on the dance floor is not to end up at another spot when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-i-get-on-the-dance-floor-my-purpose-in-being-on-the-dance-floor/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Everyone in Life does Exactly what they Know How to Do Given the Conditions of their Lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/everyone-in-life-does-exactly-what-they-know-how-to-do-given-the/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [You can't go around being what everyone wants you to be, living your life through other people's rules, and expect to be happy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/you-can-t-go-around-being-what-everyone-wants-you-to-be-living-your/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [When you have the choice between being right and being kind just choose kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-you-have-the-choice-between-being-right-and-being-kind-just/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [If you want to be confident, but don't normally act that way, today, just this once, act in the physical world the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/if-you-want-to-be-confident-but-don-t-normally-act-that-way-today/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [We make weapons now that, if we ever used them, would kill ourselves. How do you explode a weapon with so much radiation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/we-make-weapons-now-that-if-we-ever-used-them-would-kill-ourselves/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [What you feel is wrong or missing in your relationships is an indication that something is amiss within you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/what-you-feel-is-wrong-or-missing-in-your-relationships-is-an/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [The truth is that there is no actual stress or anxiety in the world; it's your thoughts that create these false beliefs. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-truth-is-that-there-is-no-actual-stress-or-anxiety-in-the-world/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [It is impossible to need excuses when the focus of your life shifts from 'What's in it for me?' to 'How can I serve?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-is-impossible-to-need-excuses-when-the-focus-of-your-life-shifts/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [The problem with using force in our lives is that we always create a counterforce. For example, If you're with a child and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-problem-with-using-force-in-our-lives-is-that-we-always-create-a/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) [Explore all 1,079 Wayne Dyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) ## More Approval quotes > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehyi-hsieh/lean-too-much-on-the-approval-of-people-and-it-becomes-a-bed-of-thorns/) [Tehyi Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehyi-hsieh/) > [But I always reassure them that as far as my contractual rights can go, I will protect them and make sure that they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/but-i-always-reassure-them-that-as-far-as-my-contractual-rights-can/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) > [Growing up in that fashion is a breeding ground for insecurity and doubt; it also leaves you questioning motives. It took me a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-runyon/growing-up-in-that-fashion-is-a-breeding-ground-for-insecurity-and/) [Damon Runyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-runyon/) > [A year ago, my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the supreme court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/a-year-ago-my-approval-rating-was-in-the-30s-my-nominee-for-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [These days people are mean to people just because they don't like the way they look. No-one should be hated because of their flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/these-days-people-are-mean-to-people-just-because-they-don-t-like-the/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I got this emptiness inside that got me fighting for approval because I missed out on my daddy saying, Way to Go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/i-got-this-emptiness-inside-that-got-me-fighting-for-approval-because/) [Lecrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [My dad taught me swears when I was a toddler, and I saw, at a really early age, that if I shocked people, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/my-dad-taught-me-swears-when-i-was-a-toddler-and-i-saw-at-a-really/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Comedy is a very approval-oriented field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/comedy-is-a-very-approval-oriented-field/) [Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/) > [Whenever you are too worried about someone else's approval, that person loses respect for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/whenever-you-are-too-worried-about-someone-else-s-approval-that/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [Pleasure is Nature's test, her sign of approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/pleasure-is-nature-s-test-her-sign-of-approval/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Do you really mean the only reason you try to be good is to gain God's approval and reward? That's not morality, that's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/do-you-really-mean-the-only-reason-you-try-to-be-good-is-to-gain-god/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Browse all 904 Approval quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People who want the most approval get the least and people who need approval the least get the most.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wayne Dyer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-the-least-and-people-who-need/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Approval" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-the-least-and-people-who-need/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/wayne-dyer-158_approval_people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-th_1655189.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People who want the most approval get the least and people who need approval the least get the most.” — Wayne Dyer", "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": "Wayne Dyer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People who want the most approval...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-the-least-and-people-who-need/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/people-who-want-the-most-approval-get-the-least-and-people-who-need/#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 } } ] } ```