75 Quotes About Gaslighting To Help You Identify and Break Away From This Toxic Behavior by Manipulators

“Gaslighting” is a buzzy term on social media these days—and an unfortunate experience for many individuals in real life. Whether you wonder if you’re going crazy at work, or feel even more confused every time you try to clarify something with a romantic partner, these 75 powerful gaslighting quotes should help you identify this toxic behavior, and ideally help empower you to break away from it as well.

When watching shows like Bridgerton, it’s not hard to spot gaslighting, especially when calculating tactics are presented with dramatic flair, like with the Duke of Hastings. His subtle undermining of Daphne’s feelings and perceptions paired with how he manipulates her understanding of their relationship dynamics, and seeks to maintain control and avoid confronting his own emotional issues, are just a few examples of his gaslighting behavior. This clear-cut portrayal gives audiences a front-row seat to the signs and encourages them to root for Daphne’s eventual realization and empowerment as she navigates and overcomes the deceitful tactics employed by the Duke.

However, when faced with gaslighting in real life, the situation becomes far more complex due to its often subtle nature. Gaslighting is usually a gradual form of emotional manipulation, often making it difficult for a person to recognize when they’re in the midst of it. Unlike in fiction, the manipulative behaviors may be less overt and more woven into everyday interactions, causing someone to question their own perceptions and reality without even realizing it. The emotional confusion and self-doubt that result from gaslighting can make it challenging to see the situation clearly, making the path to recognizing and addressing it more difficult.

That’s why we’ve gathered 75 insightful quotes about gaslighting—to provide you with a comprehensive resource to help identify various gaslighting tactics and empower you to break free from this toxic behavior. These quotes offer clarity and perspective, illuminating the subtle nuances of gaslighting that can slowly change you and might be hard to spot in real-life situations. By understanding these different approaches through the wisdom of others, you’ll be better equipped to identify it and reclaim your sense of reality and self-worth.

Related: The 10 Earliest Signs of Gaslighting to Look Out For, According to Psychologists

75 Quotes About Gaslighting

1. “Gaslighting is mind control to make victims doubt their reality.” — Tracy Malone

2. “Some people will label you as vindictive, unforgiving or even evil for not allowing them to hurt you, yet again.” — Wayne Gerard Trotman

3. “If you alter your behavior because you are frightened of how your partner will react, you are being abused.” — Sandra Horley

4. “Remember, a fact is a fact, no matter how hard the liars amongst you might try hushing it up.” — Billy Childish

5. “Changed behavior is the only apology, otherwise, it’s just manipulation.” — Maranda Pleasant

Related: These Two Types of People Are the Most Likely to Experience Gaslighting—Here’s Why and What to Do, According to Psychologists

6. “Some people do Oscar-winning performances to gaslight your good heart. Do not forget what they are.” — Dinakar

7. “Realize that narcissists have an addiction disorder. They are strongly addicted to feeling significant. Like any addict they will do whatever it takes to get this feeling often.” — Shannon L. Alder

8. “Gaslighting is implanted narratives cloaked in secrecy.” — Tracy Malone

9. “It’s okay to get gaslighted once in a while; that’s how you learn to burn brighter without guile.” — Philusufar

10. “When narcissists ask ‘How do you feel?’, they are actually saying, ‘I am not feeling good, and now listen to me.’” — Emma Xu

Related: Psychologists Are Begging Families to Recognize the Most Common Form of Gaslighting—Plus, Here’s Exactly How To Respond

11. “But that’s the thing about narcissists. They can try to fool you, with all their heart, but in the end, they’re just fooling themselves.” — Ellie Fox

12. “When dealing with a narcissist, don’t defend yourself against attacks. Instead say, ‘Your attempt to portray me in a negative light is noted.’” — Tina Swithin

13. “Gaslighting, brainwashing, cults, hostage situations, and totalitarian propaganda have a common basis. They use similar techniques to confuse, intimidate, and disempower people.” — Linda Hatch

14. “The more you value yourself, the healthier your boundaries are.” — Lorraine Nilon

15. “Where there is much pride or much vanity, there will also be much revengefulness.” — Arthur Schopenhauer

16. “Kindness from a narcissist is called an illusion.” — Alice Little

Related: 5 Telltale Signs of Gaslighting in a Friendship, According to Psychologists

17. “Gaslighting of the soul: They do everything to dim your light, and then they ask you why you’re not shining.” — Unknown

18. “This term is used in the 1944 Ingrid Bergman film Gaslight, in which a husband purposely drives his wife insane by flickering lights, making noises in the attic, and then claiming the very real experience was all in her head.” — Samantha Rodman

19. “Essentially, a gaslighter spins their negative, harmful, or destructive words and actions in their favor, deflecting the blame for their abusive deeds and pointing the finger at you.” — Aletheia Luna

20. “Gas-lighters are most successful when they believably cast themselves as loyal and dutiful protectorates who are unconditionally invested in defending and caring for their beloved gaslit victims.” — Ross Rosenberg

21. “If you hate being yelled at, you have the right to insist that yelling not be a part of your disagreements. Maybe some other woman wouldn’t mind the loud voice, but you do. If that makes you sensitive, so be it.” — Robin Stern

22. “Narcissists, however, are similar to a spider that has built a web for its prey to bring itself.” — Mwanandeke Kindembo

Related: 6 Telltale Signs You Experienced Chronic Gaslighting as a Child, According to a Psychotherapist

23. “The aim of gaslighting is to make you feel bad about something you need not feel bad about. Gaslighting is emotional abuse… happens in the real world and on social media, too.” — Vikram Karve

24. “Manipulative people are those who wish to be loved on their own terms.” — David S. Viscott

25. “You are not broken and in need of fixing. You are wounded and in need of healing.” — Danu Morrigan

26. “Gaslighting is a subtle form of emotional manipulation that often results in the recipient doubting their own perception of reality and their sanity. In addition, gaslighting is a method of manipulation by toxic people to gain power over you. The worst part about gaslighting is that it undermines your self-worth to the point where you’re second-guessing everything.” — Dana Arcuri

27. “Remember that any time you’re filled with resentment, you’re turning the controls of your emotional life over to others to manipulate.” — Wayne Dyer

28. “Often enough the manipulator approaches, stimulates, or even creates a powerful wish or a strong desire in the target’s mind.” — Sapir Handelman

Related: Do Gaslighters Know What They’re Doing? Psychologists Share the Truth

29. “Emotional blackmail is a powerful form of manipulation. It leaves you in a FOG when there is a haze of Fear, Obligation, and Guilt.” — Carey West

30. “Your narcissistic abuser withholds information in a conversation and replaces it with false information. That’s gaslighting.” — Unknown

31. “An emotionally abusive relationship, in very simplistic terms, is much like standing up in a too-hot bath and sinking back in so as not to feel so dizzy.” — Jackie Haz

32. “Beware of narcissistic people. They’ll tell everyone you’re crazy, only to cover up their trickery.” — Mitta Xinindlu

33. “When we allow another to alter our thinking, it can take a long time to return to our previous reality. That’s the awesome power of manipulation.” — Ryan James

34. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker

35. “Someone who gaslights you is trying to talk you out of your experience to alleviate their shame and responsibility to an issue. It’s a tool to control and manipulate you.” — Dr. Henry Cloud

36. “Gaslighting undermines self-trust, rendering individuals vulnerable to manipulation and control.” — Stephanie Sarkis

37. “Gaslighting is the slow erosion of your sense of self.” — Unknown

38. “It frightens me because I feel vulnerable to attacks, an easy target for gaslighting. Phrases like ‘No I didn’t say that!’, ‘You don’t remember,’ and ‘You must have forgotten,’ start rattling my brain and making me jittery.” — Ankita Sahani

39. “Manipulative people do not consider the other person’s point of view; they will take it at the expense of others.” — Richard Malthouse

40. “In any healthy relationship, you should feel heard and respected, not confused and invalidated.” — Unknown

41. “Gaslighting is like a fog that surrounds you, making it hard to see clearly or think straight.” — Unknown

42. “Gaslighting is a subtle form of emotional abuse with devastating effects.” — Lundy Bancroft

43. “Abuse is the silent killer. It can take many forms, but the goal is always the same: to gain power and control over another person.” — Leslie Morgan Steiner

Related: 11 Subtle Signs of Gaslighting To Look For in Your Relationship

44. “Gaslighting is the systematic attempt by one person to erode another person’s reality by telling them that what they are experiencing isn’t so — and, the gradual giving up on the part of the other person.” — Robin Stern

45. “Dealing with manipulation is all about reading between the lines and recognizing the lies for what they are.” — Unknown

46. “Gaslighters exploit vulnerabilities, using them as weapons for psychological torment.” — Wendy M. Robertson

47. “Gaslighting resembles psychological warfare, inflicting manipulation-induced casualties.” — Martha Stout

48. “Gaslighting chips away at self-esteem, leaving individuals feeling utterly worthless.” — Gwenn Eyer

49. “There’s nothing so dangerous for manipulators as people who choose to think for themselves.” — Meg Greenfield

50. “Most women learn the hard way never to let a man treat you like worn out old house slippers, only good for taking to bed or for comfort while he watches tv. If he wouldn’t take you into the world, proudly, for everyone to see, he can do Netflix alone.” — Jennifer DeLucy

51. “Because of our built-in insecurity, we are very sensitive when it is manipulated.” — Rick Tobin

52. “A narcissist’s criticism is their autobiography.” — M. Wakefield

53. “If they can no longer score on you, then they can no longer manipulate you.” — Dorothy McCoy

54. “Gaslighting their partners into believing the abuse isn’t real by denying, minimizing, or rationalizing the abuse. This includes deflecting any conversations about accountability using circular conversations and word salad in order to avoid being held accountable for their actions.” — Shahida Arabi

55. “The success of the manipulation depends on the level of conviction and force of the denial.” — Tess Binder

56. “Remember, someone that does something bad to you, will always try to control the narrative, and they generally get out there first and spin the story to anyone who will listen. I always like to watch the quiet one. You are not alone.” — Maranda Pleasant

57. A narcissist paints a picture of themselves as being the victim or innocent in all aspects. They will be offended by the truth.” — Karla Grimes

58. “If you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your life, you will be out of balance and in the negative. Know when to close the account.” — Auliq Ice

59. “The true manipulator never has a reputation for manipulating.” — Martin Amis

Related: Could You Be a Victim of ‘Self-Gaslighting’? 5 Signs of the Subtle Form of Self-Sabotage and How To Stop, According to Experts

60. “I’m not crazy, I was abused. I’m not shy, I’m protecting myself. I’m not bitter, I’m speaking the truth.” — Rene Smith

61. “A ‘Svengali’ is more than just someone who is manipulative. It’s somebody who makes you think you need him in order to accomplish anything.” — Ann Beattie

62. “Gaslighting is confusing because they switch to intermittent concern.” — Tracy Malone

63. “Emotional abuse is designed to undermine another’s sense of self. It is deliberate humiliation, with the intent to seize control of how others feel about themselves.” — Lorraine Nilon

64. “Driving someone to insanity is the devil’s work.” — E.A. Bucchianeri

65. “This doesn’t happen in all instances but it is remarkable the lengths these malicious individuals exceed to trash you, put you at fault, and lead others to believe that you are ‘crazy.’” — Linda Martinez-Lewi

66. “In terms of gaslighting, I define it as ‘to implant false and/or distorted narratives that are specially designed or formulated to manipulate a person into a destructive web of deception, loss of control, and the surrender of personal freedom and beliefs of self-worth, self-value, self-esteem, and productivity.’” — Ross Rosenberg

67. “It is not okay for someone you like to treat you poorly and then pretend it didn’t happen, making you question your own grasp of reality. This dynamic is called gaslighting.” — Unknown

68. “Invalidation is crazy-making, and it is also at the root of gaslighting, where victims’ feelings are purposely denied or manipulated in order to make them question their sanity.” — Samantha Rodman

69. “With gaslighting, someone is going to consistently use tactics such as minimizing, denial and shaming to try and get you to question your reality.” — Dr. Brittany McGeehan

Related: The 10 Earliest Signs of Emotional Manipulation To Look Out For, According to Psychologists

70. “Let us not get scooped up by gaslighting manipulators stealing our emotions and taking possession of our inner child to carry out their dark agenda. Let the light of our intuition guide us subtly and wisely along the path of trust and suspicion.” — Erik Pevernagie

71. “If people are really narcissistic or have a need to be seen as more than they really are, or to be admired as having it all together, then they cannot be followed and trusted by others.”
— Henry Cloud

72. “Narcissists withhold affection to punish you. Withhold attention to get revenge. And withhold an emotional empathetic response to make you feel insecure.” — Alice Little

73. “Toxic people be like, ‘How dare you set boundaries and not allow me to control and manipulate you?’” — Wingheart

74. “Whenever someone is not seeing, accepting, owning and expressing their actual personal truth, it will automatically become a gaslighting situation.” — Teal Swan

75. “Narcissists are consumed with maintaining a shallow false self to others. They’re emotionally crippled souls that are addicted to attention. Because of this, they use a multitude of games, in order to receive adoration. Sadly, they are the most ungodly of God’s creations because they don’t show remorse for their actions, take steps to make amends, or have empathy for others. They are morally bankrupt.” — Shannon L. Alder

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