Many of us often find ourselves scrolling through IG and Facebook posts, reading inspirational and motivational quotes. They uplift and inspire us to do better and live joyful lives.
And then there are the hard-hitting quotes that remind us to do better, that we’re going to be ok, and to be aware of people who try to manipulate us and hurt us, like the narcissistic abuse quotes.
Here are 21 powerful narcissistic abuse quotes that will certainly hit you in the feels and remind you why you left or why you should leave.
21 narcissistic abuse quotes
If you are in a relationship with a narcissist, it’s important to protect your mental health at all costs. If you can, you should try to leave or at least seek professional help.
“Gaslighting is mind control to make victims doubt their reality.” – Tracy A. Malone
This quote highlights the manipulative nature of gaslighting, a tactic narcissists often use to control their victims by making them question their own perceptions and experiences.
“Narcissists try to destroy your life with lies because they know theirs can be destroyed with the truth” – Unknown
They are manipulators and liars and will do what it takes to ensure people believe their lies, not your truth. They have no guilty conscious and won’t care that they are ruining your lives.
“Realize that narcissists have an addiction disorder. They’re addicted to power, control, and adulation.” – Unknown
This quote suggests that narcissism can be seen as an addiction, where the person is constantly seeking control, power, and admiration from others.
“The narcissist doesn’t want your love, they don’t know what love is. They want your admiration and obedience as a player in their fake make-believe world.” – Tracy Malone
This statement emphasizes how gaslighting can create a false reality, where the victim is led to question their own sanity due to the manipulations of the narcissist.
“Being gaslighted makes you question your reality and often plays with your self-esteem and confidence.” – Unknown
This quote underscores the damaging impact of gaslighting on a person’s self-esteem and confidence, as they are led to doubt their own experiences and feelings.
“Narcissists will destroy your life, erode your self-esteem, and do everything they can to eliminate your independence.” – Unknown
This quote underscores the destructive impact that narcissists can have on their victims, highlighting their tendency to undermine their victims’ self-esteem and independence.
“Narcissists don’t change because they don’t want to change. They want to keep on using and abusing because it gets them the attention they so desperately crave.” – Anne McCrea
They have no desire to change their ways. Doing so would indicate they’ve been toxic all along, and they will never admit to their abusive, toxic behavior.
“Some people try to be tall by cutting off the heads of others.” – Paramhansa Yogananda
This quote metaphorically illustrates how some individuals, like narcissists, attempt to elevate themselves by belittling or undermining others.
“Narcissists are consumed with maintaining a shallow false self to others. They’re emotionally crippled souls that are addicted to attention.” – Shannon L. Alder
Shannon Alder describes the narcissist’s constant struggle to maintain a facade, characterizing them as emotionally stunted individuals who crave constant attention.
“A narcissist paints a picture of themselves as being the victim or innocent in all aspects. They will be offended by the truth.” – Unknown
This quote sheds light on the narcissist’s tendency to portray themselves as the victim and avoid taking responsibility for their actions, often taking offense when confronted with the truth.
“A narcissist doesn’t care how he makes you feel as long as he provokes an emotion from you it makes him feel superior and powerful. But one day you will look at him and feel nothing.” – Unknown
The narcissist always wants to have the upper hand and feel powerful, and the only way they can do that is to make you and others around them feel small.
“Relationships with narcissists are held in place by hope of a ‘someday better,’ with little evidence to support it will ever arrive.” – Ramani Durvasula
Ramani Durvasula explains the toxic hope that often keeps victims tethered to narcissists, waiting for a ‘better day’ that rarely comes.
“The narcissist’s heart of stone results in a trail of pain.” – Unknown
This quote highlights the emotional damage caused by a narcissist’s lack of empathy and disregard for others’ feelings.
“Narcissistic abuse does not usually include forms of physical abuse with physical signs. It’s invisible, it’s manipulative, it’s insidious.” – Unknown
This quote emphasizes the covert nature of narcissistic abuse, which can be just as damaging as physical abuse despite leaving no visible scars
“The scars from mental cruelty can be as deep and long-lasting as wounds from punches or slaps but are often not as obvious.” – Lundy Bancroft
This quote compares the impact of psychological abuse to physical abuse, highlighting that emotional scars can be just as deep and enduring, even though they may not be immediately apparent.
“When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you.” – Shannon L. Alder
This quote suggests that when narcissists lose control over their victims, they often resort to tarnishing their reputation among others as a form of retaliation.
“The only way to win with a toxic person is not to play.” – Unknown
This quote serves as a reminder to not engage in any games the narcissist starts up and not to sacrifice your own well-being for the sake of pleasing others. If you play, you’ll lose. When you don’t play, they lose.
“Nobody can be kinder than a narcissist while you react to life on his terms.” – Elizabeth Bowen
Once they have convinced you to agree with them and believe that things are better his/her way, they will show ‘fake’ kindness, meaning it’s just a smug victory for them.
“Narcissistic love is riding on the rollercoaster of disaster filled with a heart full of tears.” — Sheree Griffin
This love can be quite the rollercoaster of really high highs and very dark lows. You will feel like you’re constantly on a rollercoaster, and you’ll want nothing more than to jump off. There are more tears than smiles in this relationship.
“A narcissist doesn’t break your heart, they break your spirit. That’s why it takes so long to heal.” – Unknown
This quote emphasizes the deep emotional trauma caused by narcissistic abuse, explaining why recovery can be a long and difficult process.
“The narcissist is like a bucket with a hole in the bottom: No matter how much you put in, you can never fill it up.” – Unknown
This metaphor captures the insatiable nature of narcissists, who constantly crave validation and attention but are never truly satisfied. No matter how hard you try to please them, you never will, and you will constantly be made to feel worthless because of this.
If you’re dealing with a narcissist, you might want to check out Kim Saeed’s course on how to break free from this toxic relationship.
Final thoughts on narcissistic abuse quotes
These quotes provide a powerful depiction of the tactics and impacts of narcissistic abuse and gaslighting. They underline the manipulative techniques used by narcissists to control and undermine their victims, creating a distorted reality where self-doubt and confusion coexist.
Whether you’re a survivor of such abuse, a friend or family member of a victim, or simply an individual seeking to understand this complex issue, these quotes offer valuable insights and a starting point for further exploration and discussion.
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