Quotes About Assertiveness

When you are wronged repeatedly, the worst thing you can do is continue taking it--fight back!

My people keep telling me I shouldn't write letters like this to critics. The way I see it, critics get to say what they want to about my work, so why shouldn't I be able to say what I want to about theirs?

The most aggressive and therefore the most dangerous words in the languages of the world are to be found in the assertion I AM.

What makes you think I didn't really mean no?" "Well, for one, you're awfully worked up over the guy. In that she-doth-protest-too-much kind of way.

He planted himself in front of April until her fiancé came around, then Leland kissed her like he owned her.

Hey, you're supposed to be my grape, Lydia McCarthy. Why are you letting another man squish you behind my back?

Some people won't be happy until they've pushed you to the ground. What you have to do is have the courage to stand your ground and not give them the time of day. Hold on to your power and never give it away.

Lefty A wise guy's always right even when he's wrong, he's right.

I felt the joy of knowing that in some small way I had fought back against someone who wanted to rule me against my will. I said no.

at my age, if I were sexually harassed, I'd send the guy flowers

Something in me had changed when Archie asked me if I wanted Sharon's cats. I thought then that if I didn't start saying what it was that I wanted, I shouldn't expect to get it. Archie got so off base about me because I let him be so off base about me. I was never clear.

But notice that where you must do work not your own, assume these responsibilities; see that you do not allow them to be thrust upon you. What you undertake open-eyed will seldom be made later a cause of martyrdom and sullenness.

He added pointedly

You're always cutting your nose off to spite your face. I've never met a woman as stubborn as you. Even when it's not in your interests you'll do something to make a point.

That woman speaks eighteen languages and can't say no in any of them.

Tell him I was too fucking busy-- or vice versa.

Now I know the things I know, and I do the things I do; and if you do not like me so, to hell, my love, with you!

Once you've gotten comfortable with "no," "yes" is usually easier. Try it, in all its variations: "Yes, please." "Yes, when?" "Yes, but I have some limits I want to tell you about first." "Yes, but I need you to talk to my partner first." "Yes, but not tonight; how does next Tuesday look for you?" "Hell, yes!

Most of us have been struck dumb by the scariest communication task of all—asking for what we want.

When you respect your limits, other will learn to respect them too.

Explicit disagreement is better than implicit misunderstanding.

Sometimes it's appropriate to scream at them.

We teach people how to treat us

Took over my city and I never asked permission to.