Quotes About Assertiveness

I don't care whose son he is. I won't go belly-up like a timid pup. If he's fool enough to take a poke at me, I'll snap the finger clean off that does the poking.

A woman who goes around wearing a knife is obviously looking for trouble. However, a woman who carries a knife is ready for trouble.

Why do I need to prove anything to you?" Bast asked. "Why would I care what you think? Be happy in your silly little ignorance. I'm doing you a favor by not telling you the truth.

pride is the luxury of the strong.

I'm willing to lose some sleep if it comes to that. I can't think of the last time I shared the company of a woman who speaks her mind firmly and without hesitation. Your kind are in short supply these days.

Boys, they can't take my refrigerator now. They'll never get my car now. I paid cash for 'em and they're mine, and I'm keepin' 'em!

Just because you're bossy," I tell her, "doesn't mean you're wrong.

opening arguments

I'm not going to apologize for things that need no apology.

La gente te importunaba por la fuerza de la costumbre,molestaba por el simple placer de molestar, y seguían pinchándote hasta que les demostrabas que tú también estabas dispuesto a fastidiarla, momento en el cual te ganabas su respeto.

Firmly speaking the truth in love and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships will teach most people to treat you respectfully.

Women] who won't say no for fear of offending someone will be taken advantage of and possibly even led into sin by spiritually immature colleagues and clients. [...] Just keep saying no, graciously but firmly, even if they threaten to take their business elsewhere.

if you are talking with a direct person, present your ideas in a straightforward, logical manner, but if you are speaking with an indirect person, use a more feeling-oriented, participatory style. [...] when you find yourself having to tell other women what to do, your savviest choice is often to adopt their indirect style. That's not being manipulative or weak. That's being smart.

Sing the melody line you hear in your own head. Remember, you don't owe anybody any explanations, you don't owe your parents any explanations, you don't owe your professors any explanations.

And if there is one thing I've learned, it's if you don't put it out there, they won't put it in there.

They treat me like some sort of pet cat but claws I have, and claws I will use

Why you? - (...) I'm the best. - Modest of you. - I am the best. Modesty has nothing to say about it.

I thought of Jack Nicholson telling Shirley MacLaine that a stiff drink "might kill the bug you got up your ass." I thought of John Riggins, the great, wild running back of the Redskins, telling Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at a White House dinner to "loosen up, Sandy baby.

I wish I had the nerve not to tip.

When you know who you are, it's harder for people to fuck with you.

I am not!" said the guy's girlfriend, who was wearing a very short skirt, very high heels and the kind of complicated hairstyle that looks like it needs blueprints and a construction crew.

I am an old man. I am entitled, am I not, to say what I think?—and of course to stray from the point.

There is nothing wrong with leaving if you feel attacked. In fact, there are times when it's a good thing to do (see chapter 8). The damage comes from remaining passive and silent, absorbing the other person's criticism while your sense of personal power and self-esteem deteriorate.

The right to say 'no' strengthens emotional boundaries. So does the freedom to say 'yes,' respect for feelings, acceptance of differences, and permission for expression.