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Top 10 Petty Quotes to Embrace Your Inner Sass

Looking for a good laugh? Check out our collection of petty quotes that are sure to bring a smile to your face. From sarcastic and funny to witty and clever, these quotes will add a touch of humor to your day.
by The Blinkist Team | Oct 29 2023
petty-quotes

Are you ready to unleash your inner sass? Sometimes, being a little petty can be oh-so satisfying. Whether you need a sassy comeback or just want to embrace your mischievous side, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ve compiled the top 10 petty quotes that will have you feeling empowered and ready to conquer the world. Let the pettiness begin!

“Pettiness is the tendency of people without large purposes.”

– George Will

George Will, a prominent American conservative political commentator, expresses the idea that pettiness often stems from a lack of significant goals or ambitions. This quote suggests that when individuals do not have meaningful purposes or aspirations, they may become preoccupied with trivial matters and engage in petty behavior. It serves as a reminder to focus on larger goals and purposes in life, which can help elevate one’s mindset and actions.

“Those who occupy their minds with small matters generally become incapable of greatness.”

– Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Francois de La Rochefoucauld, a French writer and moralist, highlights the impact of preoccupying oneself with trivial matters on one’s ability to achieve greatness. This quote suggests that when individuals constantly focus on insignificant details and minor concerns, they may lose sight of the bigger picture and hinder their potential for achieving significant accomplishments. It encourages individuals to prioritize their attention and energy on more substantial and meaningful pursuits.

“Noble hearts are neither jealous nor afraid because jealousy spells doubt and fear spells pettiness.”

– Honore de Balzac

Honore de Balzac, a renowned French novelist, emphasizes the connection between noble hearts and the absence of jealousy and fear. This quote suggests that jealousy and fear are traits associated with pettiness and small-mindedness. It implies that individuals with noble hearts, characterized by their generosity and magnanimity, rise above such negative emotions and focus on more positive and constructive aspects of life. It encourages individuals to cultivate noble qualities and transcend pettiness.

“In our daily life, we encounter people who are angry, deceitful, intent only on satisfying their own needs. There is so much anger, distrust, greed, and pettiness that we are losing our capacity to work well together.”

– Margaret J. Wheatley

Margaret J. Wheatley, an American writer and management consultant, reflects on the prevalence of negative traits such as anger, deceit, greed, and pettiness in society. This quote highlights the detrimental impact of these qualities on our ability to collaborate and work effectively together. It serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating positive qualities, such as trust, empathy, and cooperation, to counteract the pervasive pettiness that can hinder collective progress.

“Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year’s time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections, and enduring undertakings.”

– Andre Maurois

Andre Maurois, a French author, encourages individuals to avoid being consumed by trivial matters that cause unnecessary distress. This quote suggests that dwelling on petty grievances and minor annoyances is a waste of time and energy. Instead, it advocates for focusing on meaningful actions, positive emotions, profound thoughts, and lasting endeavors. It reminds us to prioritize what truly matters and invest our time and energy in pursuits that bring fulfillment and contribute to our personal growth.

“Pettiness of mind, ignorance, and presumption are the cause of stubbornness because stubborn people only want to believe what they themselves can imagine, and they can imagine very few things.”

– Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable, a French writer and salon hostess, explores the connection between pettiness, ignorance, presumption, and stubbornness. This quote suggests that individuals who are narrow-minded, lacking in knowledge, and presumptuous tend to be stubborn because they are limited by their own imagination. It implies that stubbornness arises from an unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives and possibilities. It encourages individuals to cultivate open-mindedness, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace new ideas to overcome pettiness and stubbornness.

“In the absence of a great dream, pettiness prevails.”

– Robert Fritz

Robert Fritz, an American author and management consultant, highlights the relationship between the absence of a significant dream and the prevalence of pettiness. This quote suggests that when individuals lack a grand vision or purpose, they may become consumed by trivial matters and engage in petty behavior. It emphasizes the importance of having a compelling dream or goal that inspires and motivates individuals to rise above pettiness and pursue greatness.

“Our huffing and puffing to impress God, our scrambling for brownie points, our thrashing about trying to fix ourselves while hiding our pettiness and wallowing in guilt are nauseating to God and are a flat denial of the gospel of grace.”

– Brennan Manning

Brennan Manning, an American author and theologian, critiques the tendency to engage in self-centered and hypocritical behavior while hiding our pettiness and guilt. This quote suggests that our efforts to impress others, gain approval, and fix ourselves while concealing our flaws and indulging in guilt are contrary to the concept of grace. It serves as a reminder to embrace the grace and acceptance offered by a higher power, rather than engaging in self-righteousness and pettiness.

“One of the gifts our planet gave us is to love completely. Without jealousy or insecurity or fear. Without pettiness. Without anger.”

– Pittacus Lore

Pittacus Lore, a fictional character and author in the “Lorien Legacies” book series, reflects on the gift of love and its potential to transcend negative emotions and pettiness. This quote suggests that true love is free from jealousy, insecurity, fear, pettiness, and anger. It implies that love has the power to elevate individuals and foster harmonious relationships. It encourages us to embrace love in its purest form and strive to cultivate love in our interactions with others.

“Push hard to get better, become smarter, grow your devotion to the truth, fuel your commitment to beauty, refine your emotional intelligence, hone your dreams, negotiate with your shadow, cure your ignorance, shed your pettiness, heighten your drive to look for the best in people, and soften your heart — even as you always accept yourself for exactly who you are with all of your so-called imperfections.”

– Rob Brezsny

Rob Brezsny, an American astrologer and writer, offers a comprehensive list of actions and attitudes to overcome pettiness and embrace personal growth. This quote suggests that by pushing ourselves to improve, expand our knowledge, seek truth, appreciate beauty, develop emotional intelligence, pursue our dreams, confront our flaws, overcome ignorance, let go of pettiness, and cultivate compassion, we can elevate ourselves and our interactions with others. It encourages us to embrace self-acceptance while striving for personal and interpersonal growth.

In conclusion, these ten petty quotes have given you the perfect ammunition to embrace your inner sass and conquer any situation with style and confidence. Being petty doesn’t mean being mean, but rather asserting your boundaries and standing up for yourself. So go ahead and let these quotes be your guide as you navigate through life, unapologetically embracing your sassy side. Remember, it’s okay to be a little petty sometimes – just make sure you do it with grace and a touch of humor. Now go out there and show the world just how fabulous and fierce you can be!


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