“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt advises against letting your goals be derailed by those without true authority or decision-making power. The key insight is that rejection from someone who lacks the ability to grant approval is meaningless—it should not be taken as a final answer. By focusing on those who can say “yes,” she encourages strategic persistence and self-advocacy.
This perspective reflects Roosevelt’s own navigation through complex political and social structures. As a woman advocating for progressive causes in a male-dominated world, she often encountered gatekeepers who attempted to block progress without real authority. Her success came from bypassing those obstacles and reaching people who truly held influence, whether in government, diplomacy, or media.
In modern terms, the quote is a lesson in assertiveness and efficiency. Whether in a corporate, academic, or creative setting, it urges people not to internalize unnecessary rejection, but instead to identify the real decision-makers and continue forward with purpose. Roosevelt’s words remind us that persistence must be paired with discernment to be effective.
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