Joyce Brothers Quotes

Powerful Joyce Brothers for Daily Growth

About Joyce Brothers

Joyce Brothers (1927-2013) was an eminent American psychologist, author, and television personality renowned for her popular advice columns and game show appearances. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 20, 1927, to Jewish immigrants from Romania, she demonstrated exceptional academic prowess from a young age. At just 15, Brothers became the youngest person ever to graduate from NYU with a bachelor's degree in psychology and went on to earn her Ph.D. in that field at the age of 20 from Columbia University – making history as the youngest person to receive a doctorate from the institution. Brothers' career took off when she began writing advice columns for popular publications like Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, and McCall's. In 1955, she debuted on television with her own daytime talk show, 'Ask Dr. Joyce Brothers.' The program was a massive success, running for over two decades. She also made appearances on game shows like 'The $64,000 Question,' where she won the grand prize, and 'Family Feud,' where she became a beloved regular. Throughout her life, Brothers authored over 150 books on various subjects, including self-help, psychology, and sports. Some of her most notable works include 'How to Win at Homework' (1963), 'The Psychology of Being a Winner' (1968), and 'Brothers Keeper: A Mother's Odyssey Through Autism' (1990). The latter, written about her son Jon's struggle with autism, was particularly poignant and well-received. Brothers' influence extended beyond the realm of psychology and media, as she was a tireless advocate for women's rights and educational opportunities. She passed away on May 13, 2013, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and guide many. One of her most memorable quotes encapsulates her positive outlook on life: "I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Self-doubt can be an obstacle to success, but it doesn't have to be."

This quote suggests that self-doubt can hinder personal progress and achievement, but it doesn't have to. It implies that while doubts may arise, they don't need to become insurmountable obstacles. Instead, they can serve as stepping stones towards growth and success. To overcome this hurdle, one should acknowledge their self-doubt, understand its root causes, and work on building confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset.


"If you don't make a trade-off of time, energy, and resources, you'll never get anywhere."

This quote emphasizes the importance of prioritization and sacrifice in achieving goals. To make progress, one must allocate their limited resources (time, energy, and resources) judiciously. It suggests that we cannot do everything at once and must choose what is most crucial to us, understanding that this choice often involves giving up something else. The quote encourages us to thoughtfully weigh the value of different tasks or pursuits in our lives, and make strategic decisions to advance towards our desired outcomes.


"It takes guts to keep trying, but it takes double or triple guts to keep smiling while you're at it."

This quote highlights the resilience required in the face of adversity. It suggests that persistence, or keeping trying, requires courage, as one must overcome fear, disappointment, or setbacks. However, the additional challenge of maintaining a positive attitude and continuing to smile adds an extra layer of bravery. In essence, it implies that true strength lies not just in perseverance, but also in maintaining hope and optimism amid difficulties.


"The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worst has been done in turmoil."

This quote emphasizes the value of introspection and deep thought, suggesting that significant intellectual advancements often occur when one is alone, immersed in their thoughts. On the other hand, it also implies that hasty or poorly considered ideas may arise from chaos and distraction. In essence, Brothers encourages us to seek tranquility for productive thinking and avoid rushing into decisions without proper consideration.


"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them."

Joyce Brothers' quote emphasizes that a person's true nature is often revealed in their interactions with individuals who have no apparent benefit or advantage to offer them. It suggests that respect, kindness, and compassion are signs of a good character, as these qualities extend beyond self-interest. On the other hand, those who lack empathy or show disregard towards others, particularly when there is nothing to gain, may indicate a questionable moral compass. The quote serves as a reminder that our actions towards those less fortunate or powerful can reveal essential aspects of our character and integrity.


The cynic finds love with the idealist. The rebel with the conformist. The social butterfly with the bookworm. They help each other balance their lives.

- Joyce Brothers

Love, Other, Lives, Rebel

A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success.

- Joyce Brothers

Positive, Success, Strong, Self-Image

Accept that all of us can be hurt, that all of us can and surely will at times fail. Other vulnerabilities, like being embarrassed or risking love, can be terrifying, too. I think we should follow a simple rule: if we can take the worst, take the risk.

- Joyce Brothers

Love, Terrifying, Surely, Risking

If Shakespeare had to go on an author tour to promote Romeo and Juliet, he never would have written Macbeth.

- Joyce Brothers

Go, Romeo, Author, Juliet

Never try to negotiate with anyone after he or she has eaten. People are best persuaded on an empty stomach. And forget power breakfasts. There is no convincing anyone of anything before 10 A.M.

- Joyce Brothers

Negotiate, Convincing, Eaten

The best proof of love is trust.

- Joyce Brothers

Love, Trust, Best, Love Is

Marriage is not just spiritual communion, it is also remembering to take out the trash.

- Joyce Brothers

Marriage, Communion, Take, Trash

Real intimacy depends on truth - lovingly told - especially in the bedroom.

- Joyce Brothers

Truth, Intimacy, Depends, Bedroom

The topic of trust is an important factor in all matters of the heart - and here's why. Men lie to women. Women lie to men. And most people agree that some lying is even necessary - to avoid petty squabbles and to grease the wheels of a relationship.

- Joyce Brothers

Trust, Here, Some, Factor

Men are not conditioned to be less powerful than a woman. It will be the wise woman who realizes this and is sensitive to that issue.

- Joyce Brothers

Woman, Will, Issue, Conditioned

Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable.

- Joyce Brothers

Love, Relationship, Think, Reactions

The world at large does not judge us by who we are and what we know; it judges us by what we have.

- Joyce Brothers

World, Large, Does, Judges

Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift... The hangover comes the day after.

- Joyce Brothers

Money, Like, Being, Lift

Being taken for granted can be a compliment. It means that you've become a comfortable, trusted element in another person's life.

- Joyce Brothers

Another, Being, Means, Element

There is such a thing as bad publicity.

- Joyce Brothers

Bad, Publicity, Thing, Such A Thing

Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.

- Joyce Brothers

Communication, Listening, Imitation

Marriages, like careers, need constant nurturing... the secret of having it all is loving it all.

- Joyce Brothers

Marriage, Marriages, Careers, Nurturing

Virginity is such a personal thing. You can't judge anyone on it. A lot of young women feel they want to save themselves for the man who they think they'll love forever.

- Joyce Brothers

Love, Think, Young Women, Virginity

Trust your hunches. They're usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.

- Joyce Brothers

Trust, Away, Based, Conscious

For men to be virgins, we think it's negative. We think that there's something wrong with them.

- Joyce Brothers

Men, Negative, Think, Wrong

No matter how love-sick a woman is, she shouldn't take the first pill that comes along.

- Joyce Brothers

Dating, She, How, Pill

I watched the Trade Center buildings go down from my balcony, and it was a terrifying moment. I couldn't get my mind around it at all.

- Joyce Brothers

Mind, Center, Terrifying, Watched

I've enjoyed the pleasures of working since I was 12 and earned all my own spending money since I was 14.

- Joyce Brothers

Own, My Own, Spending Money, Since

I don't give advice. I can't tell anybody what to do. Instead I say this is what we know about this problem at this time. And here are the consequences of these actions.

- Joyce Brothers

Advice, Give, Here, Consequences

As a celebrity, you get a certain number of free passes. You're actually in a better position if you're a celebrity because people care.

- Joyce Brothers

People, Celebrity, Actually, Position

The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of getting to the top.

- Joyce Brothers

Failure, Inevitable, Getting, Healthy

Feeling gratitude isn't born in us - it's something we are taught, and in turn, we teach our children.

- Joyce Brothers

Thankful, Children, Taught

Real intimacy is only possible to the degree that we can be honest about what we are doing and feeling.

- Joyce Brothers

Relationship, Doing, Only, Intimacy

Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.

- Joyce Brothers

Success, Mind, Success Is, Thinking

I have found in work that you only get back what you put into it, but it does come back gift-wrapped.

- Joyce Brothers

Work, Get, Does, Found

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.