Using people’s quotes dig into the complex dynamics of manipulation, exploitation, and control in relationships.
These quotes are reminders of how trust can be betrayed when people use others for their own personal gain.
Whether it’s through emotional manipulation or selfishness, using people shows a breakdown of sincere connection and respect.
Top Using People Quotes
Manipulation and using others is a theme often explored in literature and life. Below are ten impactful quotes on using people:
“There is nothing wrong in using people. The success never uses people except to their advantage.” – Mark Cane
“The really good thing about using people who are really green is that you don’t have to erase a bunch of bad habits and then put good ones in.” – Mel Gibson
“Controllers, abusers, and manipulative people don’t question themselves. They don’t ask if the problem is them. They always say the problem is someone else.” – Darlene Ouimet
“When you know what a man wants you know who he is, and how to move him.” – George R.R. Martin
“You are a manipulator. I like to think of myself more as an outcome engineer.” – J.R. Ward
“Men are used as they use others.” – Bidpai
“The era of using people as production tools is coming to an end.” – Ricardo Semler
“People that don’t know what they are worth will always see their capture’s wings, but never their tail.” – Shannon L. Alder
“Don’t use men to get what you want in life. Get it yourself.” – Helen Gurley Brown
“Just because something isn’t a lie doesn’t mean it isn’t deceptive. A liar knows they are lying, but one who speaks partial truths to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” – Criss Jami
Also Read: Perfectionism Quotes (with Commentary)
Using People Quotes on Manipulation and Control
Manipulation is a powerful tool used to control others, often in subtle and cunning ways. Here are ten quotes that delve into the darker aspects of manipulation and control:
“Desire is the leash, and I’m the one holding it.” – Makima
“The more they desire something, the easier they are to control.” – Makima
“You don’t have to let yourself be used like toilet paper and flushed down the toilet.” – Mike Jason
“When someone uses you for personal gain, it poisons the relationship, not just with them but also with others around you.” – Unknown
“Always listen to your instincts. When someone is using you, your instincts will never lie.” – Stephanie Dolce
“Never allow yourself to be used for a life that is below your potential.” – Michael McFadden
“Don’t be a doormat; people learn how to treat you by studying your reaction.” – Luke Gilfillan
“To the people who have made me feel disposable: Thank you for reminding me why you don’t deserve to be a part of my life.” – Unknown
“Manipulation works best when people think they are choosing what you want them to choose.” – Unknown
“Freedom isn’t given; it’s taken. Sometimes, it’s stolen by those who know how to control your desires.” – Unknown
Using People Quotes on Trust and Betrayal
Trust is fragile, and when someone is used or betrayed, it leaves lasting scars. The following quotes reflect the pain and complexity of being betrayed by those you trust:
“The worst pain in the world goes beyond the physical. It is the betrayal of a friend.” – Heather Brewer
“Each betrayal begins with trust.” – Martin Luther
“It’s hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it.” – Nicole Richie
“For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first.” – Suzanne Collins
“It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.” – William Blake
“Sometimes it’s not the person who changes, it’s the mask that falls off.” – Unknown
“I’m mature enough to forgive you, but I’m not dumb enough to trust you again.” – Unknown
“Betray a friend and you’ll often find you have ruined yourself.” – Aesop
“Trust is like a mirror, once it’s broken, you can never look at it the same way again.” – Unknown
“The knives of betrayal and drama cut deep, but they also trim away the nonsense and reveal your true friends.” – Steve Maraboli
These quotes remind us that betrayal not only breaks trust but can also transform relationships permanently, making it difficult to rebuild.
Using People Quotes on Selfishness and Greed
Selfishness and greed are often at the heart of manipulation. The following quotes reflect the consequences of using others for selfish gain:
“The wrong person will give you less than what you’re worth, but that doesn’t mean that you have to accept it.” – Sonya Parker
“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live; it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.” – Oscar Wilde
“People who are greedy will manipulate others for their own gain, caring little for the cost.” – Unknown
“Greed is the poison that destroys relationships, for it places one’s own desires above the needs of others.” – Unknown
“Selfish people often mistake what they want with what they need.” – Unknown
“Greed is not a financial issue. It’s a heart issue.” – Andy Stanley
“People who are greedy and selfish are usually insecure, using others to fill their own emptiness.” – Unknown
“In the end, the person who only looks out for themselves will be left standing alone.” – Unknown
“To the selfish, everything revolves around their own benefit.” – Unknown
“Selfishness comes from poverty in the heart, from the belief that love is not abundant.” – Don Miguel Ruiz
Using People Quotes on Emotional Exploitation
Emotional exploitation often happens when someone takes advantage of another’s feelings for personal gain. These quotes capture the pain and awareness that comes from recognizing emotional manipulation:
“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” – Ernest Hemingway
“Stop doing things for people who take it for granted. If they don’t appreciate you, it’s time to move on.” – Unknown
“Emotional abuse is like a hammer that shatters the spirit, leaving invisible scars.” – Shannon Thomas
“Some people don’t love you. They don’t even care about you. They just want to stay connected to you.” – Unknown
“You can’t use someone and expect them not to feel the damage.” – Unknown
“When you feel exploited by someone you care for, it’s not love, it’s control.” – Unknown
“Emotional manipulators exploit feelings, not because they care, but because they want power.” – Richard Malthouse
“Being used by someone you truly care about is one of the deepest forms of betrayal.” – Unknown
“They will only love you when they can use you. Protect your heart.” – Unknown
“Manipulation thrives in the space where genuine emotion should live.” – Daisaku Ikeda
These quotes help emphasize the emotional toll of being used, reminding us that it’s important to guard our feelings from those who might exploit them.
Using People Quotes on Power and Influence
Power and influence can be subtle or overt, but many people use others to elevate themselves. These quotes explore the dynamics of manipulation through power and control:
“When you know what a man wants, you know who he is, and how to move him.” – George R.R. Martin
“Nothing manipulates people more than the desire to please.” – Zoe Durlock
“If you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your life, you will be out of balance.” – Christie Williams
“When someone tells you there is no agenda, you can be sure there is only an agenda.” – Craig D. Lounsbrough
“Power means nothing if you don’t know how to use it for influence.” – Unknown
“The ultimate manipulation is to make people believe they’re free when they’re under your control.” – Madeline L’Engle
“Manipulators make you think their desires are your own.” – Frank Herbert
“Influence is often the quietest form of control.” – Unknown
“To manipulate others, you only need to understand their deepest desires.” – Ayi Kwei Armah
“Those who master influence rarely need to raise their voice, they simply pull the strings.” – Unknown
Using People Quotes on Deception and False Promises
Deception and false promises can cause immense emotional harm, especially when someone pretends to care or promises things they never intend to fulfill. These quotes highlight the pain and manipulation involved in such betrayal:
“The essence of lying is in deception, not in words.” – John Ruskin
“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!” – Walter Scott
“The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.” – Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” – William Shakespeare
“Promises are worse than lies. You don’t just make them believe, you also make them hope.” – Unknown
“When you make a false promise, you’re treating others as means, not ends.” – Immanuel Kant
“A lie cannot live.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The sure way to be cheated is to think one’s self more cunning than others.” – Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“People who promise too much are often the first to break those promises.” – Unknown
“Future faking is when someone makes false promises about the future to create the illusion of emotional investment.” – Dr. Sabrina Romanoff
These quotes shed light on the harmful nature of false promises, emphasizing that deception can lead to broken trust and deep emotional wounds.
Using People Quotes on Recognizing Red Flags
Recognizing red flags in relationships or interactions can help protect you from being used or manipulated. The following quotes explore the importance of awareness and self-preservation:
“Deception by an omission of the truth is as bad as a lie.” – Jennifer Chiaverini
“The true hypocrite is the one who ceases to perceive his deception.” – Andre Gide
“Red flags don’t just pop up for no reason, they’re warnings your instincts send you.” – Unknown
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou
“They rarely apologize to you—an inability to take accountability is a red flag.” – Ricki Romm
“Future faking is about creating a fantasy that reflects your heartfelt desires while delivering nothing in return.” – Dr. Sabrina Romanoff
“Trust your instincts. Red flags are there for a reason; they protect you from harm.” – Unknown
“Being too good to be true is often just that—too good.” – Unknown
“If someone constantly doesn’t do what they say, take that as a sign.” – Unknown
“True loyalty comes without the need for manipulation. Pay attention to how people treat you without expecting anything in return.” – Unknown
Using People Quotes on Trusting the Wrong People
Trusting the wrong people can lead to significant emotional pain, teaching us hard lessons about betrayal and discernment. These quotes reflect the deep disappointment and self-reflection that comes from placing trust in the wrong hands:
“You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment unless you trust enough.” – Frank Crane
“Don’t trust the person who has broken faith once.” – William Shakespeare
“Sometimes, trusting a friend is the hardest thing to do, even the closest friends can become enemies.” – James Merrow
“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” – Buddha
“Not everyone can be trusted. I think we all have to be very selective about the people we trust.” – Shelley Long
“Trust is a double-edged sword. It can give you hope, but it can cut you in an instant when it’s broken.” – Tiffany King
“Be careful… not all are what they seem. Some people pretend to be the beach, but they’re actually quicksand.” – Steve Maraboli
“The wrong person will give you less than what you’re worth, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it.” – Sonya Parker
“Consistency is the true foundation of trust. Either keep your promises or don’t make them.” – Roy T. Bennett
“Sometimes, people will burn you just to see a light. Try not to take it personally.” – Kamand Kojouri
These quotes highlight how trusting the wrong people can cause deep wounds, but they also remind us to be cautious in extending trust.
Using People Quotes on Gaining Strength from Experience
Every painful experience with betrayal or manipulation can also serve as an opportunity for growth. These quotes emphasize the strength and resilience that come from overcoming difficult situations:
“When people cheat in any arena, they diminish themselves and their relationships with others.” – Cheryl Hughes
“Broken trust and anger will close a heart until honesty and love are found again.” – Kishan S. Rana
“Trust is like an antique, once it’s broken, it can never be replaced.” – Mouloud Benzadi
“Betrayal annihilates trust. The more trust there is to begin with, the more damage is done.” – Sandra Lee Dennis
“You create more space in your life when you turn your excess baggage into garbage.” – Chinonye J. Chudolue
“A broken glass can’t be repaired, neither can broken trust.” – Paola Rivera
“If someone betrays you once, it’s their fault. If they betray you twice, it’s your fault.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Every time your heart is broken, a doorway cracks open to new beginnings.” – Patti Roberts
“Trust is like a vase; once broken, it can never truly return to its original form.” – Anonymous
“People inspire you or they drain you. Pick them wisely.” – Hans F. Hasen
Using People Quotes on Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries is vital for safeguarding one’s emotional and mental health in relationships. These quotes highlight the necessity of personal limits and self-respect:
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brené Brown
“You get what you tolerate.” – Henry Cloud
“Boundaries are a part of self-care. They are healthy, normal, and necessary.” – Doreen Virtue
“Good fences make good neighbors.” – Robert Frost
“Saying no to others means saying yes to yourself.” – Jack Canfield
“The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none.” – Unknown
“When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated.” – Brené Brown
“Setting boundaries is a way of caring for myself. It doesn’t make me mean, selfish, or uncaring just because I don’t do things your way.” – Christine Morgan
“No is a complete sentence.” – Anne Lamott
“Decide what kind of life you actually want, then say no to everything that isn’t that.” – Unknown
These quotes remind us that boundaries are essential to protect ourselves and maintain healthy relationships.
Using People Quotes on Building Genuine Connections
Genuine connections thrive on trust, vulnerability, and mutual respect. These quotes reflect the value of creating real, authentic bonds:
“A genuine connection is what brings out the best in us and others.” – Unknown
“Connection is why we’re here; it gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Brené Brown
“A true connection is when two people can share without fear of judgment.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Genuine connection is built on trust, openness, and honesty.” – Simon Sinek
“In a world of fake smiles and superficial conversations, genuine connection is priceless.” – Tommy Baker
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” – David Viscott
“Real connection happens when people care about what each other truly needs.” – Stephen Covey
“We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.” – George Bernard Shaw
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” – Margaret J. Wheatley
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” – Brené Brown
Also Read: Alpha Quotes (with Commentary)
Final Thoughts
Quotes about using people emphasize the emotional toll that exploitation can take, while also offering lessons in strength and personal development.
They remind you of the importance of building genuine, respectful relationships based on trust rather than manipulation.
Finally, these quotes inspire you to be mindful of your interactions, prioritize real connections, and protect yourself from those who may seek to exploit your kindness or trust.