Throughout life, we’re always gonna receive our fair share of criticism, unsolicited advice, gossip and hate.
Even if we do our utmost to avoid it (like becoming a people pleaser), we can’t please everyone or control other people’s actions. And, in the words of Taylor Swift, the haters gonna hate.
In these times it might be beneficial to use motivational let them talk quotes to help us remain strong within ourselves and not let the haters get you down!
In this post I’ll be sharing with you some of my favourite let them talk quotes to help you foster a positive mindset in the face of hate or criticism.
My hope is that these meaningful quotes can serve as a reminder to remain true to yourself and never let the opinions of others define your worth or stop you from being authentically you.
So keep reading to find out the power of ignoring negativity, some common situations where you might have to rise above the haters, and 95 motivational let them talk quotes to ignore hate.
Let’s get stuck in!
This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure.
The power of ignoring hate and negativity
I know firsthand how difficult it can be to ignore hate, negativity and gossip.
When other people are speaking ill of you, the natural urge is to want to defend yourself, set the rumours straight and protect your image.
But, the truth is, people who are fuelled with hate are often committed to misunderstanding you. And anything you say or do to try and make the situation better often only results in making things worse.
If you’ve ever been bullied you’ll know what I’m talking about – did trying to stand up for yourself make the bullies stop? In most cases, probably not.
That’s because attempts to defend yourself are only fuel for people that want to be hateful.
Anything you say or do in response will likely only be used as ammunition against you. Trust me, I’ve been there.
So what do you do instead? Rise above it and stay so firm in yourself that the hate and negativity brushes off you a little easier.
I’m not saying to become a doormat and let yourself be treated awfully. But, deciding that certain people aren’t even worth your time and energy is sometimes the best thing you can do.
In fact, here are some key benefits of ignoring hate and negativity:
- Protecting your peace: fighting back against hate is normally a lost cause that leaves you even more distressed. By choosing to disengage from negative people like this you can protect yourself from unnecessary stress, anxiety and emotional distress.
- Preserving energy: engaging with hate is a waste of energy. By ignoring it we can conserve that energy and stay focused on the things that truly matter.
- Prioritising what really matters: with this energy to pour into the things that matter, we start to prioritise the more positive, accepting and non-judgmental people in our lives and have more fulfilling relationships and friendships.
- Building resilience: by learning to let go of negative comments we become more resilient to future criticism and can better bounce back from challenging experiences with people.
- Practising self compassion: ignoring hate is an act of self-compassion. Instead of buying into what other people say about us, we can choose to deeply love and accept ourselves instead.
- Living authentically: when we buy into hate and gossip we can fall into the trap of people pleasing to avoid it. By ignoring the naysayers we can stay true to ourselves and our values, leading a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Situations where you might need to let them talk
So now that you know some of the benefits of ignoring hate and negativity, what are some situations where you might have to practise this skill?
Before we get into this, I want to clarify that what we’re talking about here is different from genuine feedback.
If the people we value in our lives have feedback about our behaviour and how we’re making them feel, or your boss has feedback about your performance for example, you should absolutely be able to take this on board and reflect on how you might be able to improve.
Instead, what we’re talking about is unwarranted comments and negativity or people being hateful.
Here are some situations where you might need to “let them talk”:
- Social media: unfortunately, social media can be a place that’s fuelled with hate and negativity. Taking these kinds of comments on board or responding to them is a waste of time and energy. The best thing to do is ignore hateful comments or delete and block. Don’t even give them the satisfaction of responding!
- Pursuing personal goals: if you have goals in life, you’re most likely going to encounter naysayers, people who judge or make fun of your goals, or say you can’t make them happen. Don’t let this deter you from going after what you want! One of my favourite quotes for this situation is “if you’re not in the arena getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback”. Truth is, the people who don’t have their own goals and drive are the quickest to criticise and they’re not worth paying attention to!
- Creative expression: whether you’re an artist, writer, or musician, you’re going to receive negative criticism about your work from time to time. While you should be willing to receive feedback, you also shouldn’t let yourself be discouraged by people who don’t understand your vision. Stay true to your own expression despite the comments!
- Family dynamics: family dynamics can be challenging, and family members are often the people who feel entitled to say whatever they want about your choices and your goals. You have to be willing to let them have their own opinions while staying true to yours. Don’t ever let your family dictate who you can or can’t be in your life.
- Gossiping: petty gossip is something that you’ll probably encounter at some point in your life, and it really isn’t worth your breath. What I have personally come to realise is that the best friends and anybody who you should value in your life wouldn’t engage in gossip about you. So, let fake friends go and let them talk. You can do better.
- Unjustified hate/personal attacks/misinformation: When it comes to personal attacks and misinformation, it’s natural to want to defend yourself. But to people who are committed to misunderstanding you, it’s only ammunition. Let them talk and let their hate fizzle out when they’re left without fuel for their fires.
- Overcoming stereotypes and prejudices: There are some situations where you might have to ignore what people say you can and can’t do due to your race, gender, religion, etc. Letting them talk and doing it anyway is the best way to prove people wrong and change opinions.
Motivational let them talk quotes
I hope by now you’re beginning to understand the true power of letting them talk.
I can actually personally say that using this approach has saved me so much sanity compared to when I used to desperately care what people thought of me.
But it’s not an easy mindset to embody, and sometimes we need little reminders to keep us accountable and strong in the face of negativity.
That’s where let them talk quotes come in – you can use these quotes to give you a little boost of self-assurance when faced with negative criticism or hateful behaviour.
So, with that being said, here are 95 motivational let them talk quotes to remind yourself of in these situations…
Let them talk quotes for perseverance, growth and success
These are the best quotes to stay focused on your goals and persevere with hard work on your path, despite the opinions of negative people.
“Let them talk. Let them doubt. Let them criticize. You stay focused. You keep grinding. You keep proving them wrong.” – Unknown
“You can’t control other people’s actions, but you can control your reactions. Focus on your growth, not their negativity.” – Unknown
“Don’t waste your energy trying to change opinions … Do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.” – Tina Fey
“It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle.” – Shannon L. Alder
“Don’t let negative words from others deter you from your dreams. Use that energy to propel yourself forward.” – Unknown
“Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.” – Chetan Bhagat
“Ignore those who try to bring you down. Stay above and focus on your ascent.” – Unknown
“People will throw stones at you; don’t throw them back. Collect them all and build an empire.” – Unknown
“The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you.” – Zig Ziglar
“If you listen to the naysayers, you will never accomplish anything.” – Kobe Bryant
“The greatest response to haters is your success.” – Matshona Dhliwayo
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson
“The best way to silence your critics is to do what they claim you can’t do.” – Unknown
“People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion.” – Steve Maraboli
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“When people throw stones at you, it’s because they want to see you stumble. Show them that you can and will rise above it all.” – Unknown
“It’s not about what they’re saying; it’s about what you’re doing.” – Unknown
“Rise above the storm, and you will find the sunshine.” – Mario Fernandez
“The greatest response to negativity is resilience.” – Unknown
“The only way to deal with criticism is to let it go and keep doing your thing.” – Demi Lovato
“Hate and criticism are mere speed bumps on the road to success.” – Unknown
“Stay so busy succeeding that you have no time to entertain negativity.” – Unknown
“Ignore the doubters and stay true to your vision.” – Unknown
“Your dreams are too important to be diminished by the doubts of others.” – Unknown
“Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.” – Andy Warhol
“The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.” – Bette Midler
“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” – Winston Churchill
“Let them wonder, Let them judge, Let them talk, Let them believe, But don’t let them stop you!” – Neha Dua
Let them talk quotes for self-confidence and authenticity
These inspirational quotes will help you stay true to yourself and remain authentic, never letting the words of others make you question your worth.
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” – Harvey Fierstein
“Stay true to yourself, yet always be open to learn. Work hard, and never give up on your dreams, even when nobody else believes they can come true but you. These are not cliches but real tools you need no matter what you do in life to stay focused on your path.” – Phillip Sweet
“Your success is not determined by what others think of you, but by how you think of yourself.” – Unknown
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
“Don’t let someone dim your light, simply because it’s shining in their eyes.” – Unknown
“They may hate you for being different and not living by society’s standards, but deep down, they wish they had the courage to do the same.” – Kevin Hart
“They laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at them because they’re all the same.” – Kurt Cobain
“In the end, people will judge you anyway, so don’t live your life impressing others. Live your life impressing yourself.” – Unknown
“It’s not what they call you, it’s what you answer to.” – W.C. Fields
“Haters are confused admirers who can’t understand why everybody else likes you.” – Paulo Coelho
“If you’re not being criticized, you’re probably not doing anything exceptional.” – Unknown
“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” – Unknown
“Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your inner voice.” – Steve Jobs
“Don’t allow others to dim your light. Simply shine so brightly that they have no choice but to admire you from afar.” – Unknown
“When you start seeing your worth, you’ll find it harder to stay around people who don’t.” – Unknown
“When people throw stones at you, it’s because you’re a good tree full of fruits. They see a lot of harvest in you.” – Unknown
“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” – Beyoncé
“When people try to throw you away, don’t let their rejection define you. Rejection is just a redirection to something better.” – Unknown
“If you have enemies, good! That means you stood up for something in your life.” – Eminem
“The only thing more frustrating than closed-minded people is open-minded people who don’t have the courage to stand firmly on something.” – Unknown
“Don’t let their opinions define you. You are what you are, and that’s enough.” – Unknown
“Don’t let the negativity given to you by the world disempower you. Instead, give yourself what you need to empower yourself.” – Les Brown
“If you’ve never been criticized, it means you’ve never stood for something.” – Winston Churchill
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” – Frank A. Clark
“Never dull your shine for somebody else.” – Tyra Banks
“When they criticize you, remember it’s only because they’re jealous of your potential.” – Unknown
“Don’t be afraid to shine. The sun doesn’t give a damn if it blinds you.” – Unknown
“Stay true to yourself; it’s the only way to silence the haters.” – Unknown
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” – Albert Einstein
“People will always talk, so let’s give them something to talk about.” – Lady Gaga
“Let them judge you. Let them misunderstand you. Let them gossip about you. Their opinions aren’t your problems. You stay kind, committed to love and free in your authenticity. No matter what they do or say, don’t doubt your worth or the beauty of your truth. Just keep shining like you always do.” – Scott Stabile
“Don’t let people talk you into what they think is you.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Stand confident in your worth and don’t let anyone talk you out of it.” – Mandy Hale
Related post: 100 Self Love Affirmations to Build your Self Esteem
Let them talk quotes for rising above negativity
These motivational quotes will help you to rise above negative people and choose a path of positivity instead.
“When they go low, we go high.” – Michelle Obama
“Hate has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou
“Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out!” – Robert Tew
“When people undermine your dreams, predict your doom, or criticize you, remember, they’re telling you their story, not yours.” – Cynthia Occelli
“The only way to deal with haters is to ignore them, smile, and keep doing what you’re doing.” – Unknown
“The best way to counter-attack a hater is to make it blatantly obvious that their attack has had no impact on you.” – Timothy Ferriss
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” – Socrates
“When they see you happy living a life they can’t understand, they will try to discredit your joy, don’t let them.” – Thema Davis
“The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life becomes.” – Unknown
“You can’t make everybody happy; you’re not a jar of Nutella.” – Unknown
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“A lion does not concern himself with the opinion of sheep.” – Unknown
“I don’t have time, energy, or interest in hating the haters; I’m too busy loving the lovers.” – Steve Maraboli
“Surround yourself with people who support your dreams, and stay away from those who try to dampen your enthusiasm.” – Unknown
“The only thing more frustrating than slanderers is those foolish enough to listen to them.” – Criss Jami
“When you face criticism, consider the source and ignore the noise.” – Unknown
“Some people have so little going on in their lives that they would rather discuss yours.” – Unknown
“Ignore those who talk behind your back; that’s where they belong.” – Unknown
“Don’t worry about those who talk behind your back; they’re behind you for a reason.” – Unknown
“You can’t control what others think, but you can control what you believe.” – Unknown
“The people who are trying to bring you down are already below you.” – Unknown
“Don’t waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.” – Unknown
“What others think of you is none of your business.” – Unknown
“Haters will see you walk on water and say it’s because you can’t swim.” – Unknown
“Rise above the hate and focus on your own greatness.” – Unknown
“Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you fall; rise above their negativity.” – Unknown
“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.” – John Wooden
“How beautiful it is to stay silent when someone expects you to be enraged.” – Unknown
“If you are going to fight, don’t let them talk you into negotiating. But, if you are going to negotiate, don’t let them talk you into fighting.” – Abraham Lincoln
“When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk.” – Barack Obama
“Why do you have to worry about what others have to say? Let them talk, Let them whisper, Let them create false version of your own story. At the end of the day, their opinion about your life doesn’t matter. Just live your life! Let them wonder why you’re still smiling.” – That Girl Arlene
Go further with books about handling negative criticism
Need some more words of encouragement?
These are some great reads to learn how to handle negative criticism and stay committed to being your own true self on your unique path.
In this book, Brené Brown discusses the important topic of vulnerability and how it is vital for growth and resilience.
She is a big believer in showing up as your unique self and rising above criticism and the shame that this may cause.
In this book, Mark Manson encourages you to let go of the need for constant validation and be okay with adversity, including others' criticism and negativity (in other words, stop giving a f*ck).
He believes this mindset will make you more resilient and allow you to focus on what truly matters instead!
A slightly different book on this list, "Hate, Inc." explores the media's role in perpetuating hate and division.
This book will allow you to see why hate is so widespread in our culture, and therefore make you take it a little less personally.
I hope that these motivational let them talk quotes have helped you to tune into your self-confidence and stay true to yourself.
And that you can use this list of quotes during tough times to remember who you are and stay committed to your personal growth.
Because the most important thing you can do in life is live by your values, prioritise the relationships that matter, and ignore the rest.
Liked this post on motivational let them talk quotes? Check out some of these related posts:
- 59 Self Care Quotes to Inspire You to Prioritize Yourself
- 10 Signs That You Need Help Setting Boundaries in Relationships
- 84 Best Protection Affirmations for Safety and Grounding
And don’t forget to pin this post for later!
Esther is the founder of Through the Phases, a wellbeing and healthy lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing mind/body/soul practices for self-exploration, healing, and fulfilment. She has a degree in Psychology, is yoga teacher trained (200hr), and is currently pursuing a Neuroscience MSc to further study the mind-body connection. Read more about her story here.