Gaslighting by narcissists is one of the most insidious forms of emotional abuse, leaving victims questioning their own reality and sanity.These powerful narcissist gaslighting quotes serve as mirrors of recognition, validation tools, and stepping stones toward healing.
Whether you’re currently experiencing manipulation or recovering from past abuse, these words from experts, survivors, and psychologists will help you see the truth clearly.
Narcissist Gaslighting Quotes About Recognizing Manipulation
“Gaslighting is mind control to make victims doubt their reality.”
➣ Tracy Malone
“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
“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
“Some people do Oscar-winning performances to gaslight your good heart. Do not forget what they are.”
➣ Dinakar
“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
“Gaslighting is implanted narratives cloaked in secrecy.”
➣ Tracy Malone
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“Whenever someone is not seeing, accepting, owning and expressing their actual personal truth, it will automatically become a gaslighting situation.”
➣ Teal Swan
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Powerful Quotes About the Psychological Impact of Narcissist Gaslighting
“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
“Gaslighting is the slow erosion of your sense of self.”
➣ Unknown
“Gaslighting is like a fog that surrounds you, making it hard to see clearly or think straight.”
➣ Unknown
“Gaslighting is a subtle form of emotional abuse with devastating effects.”
➣ Lundy Bancroft
“Gaslighting resembles psychological warfare, inflicting manipulation-induced casualties.”
➣ Martha Stout
“Gaslighting chips away at self-esteem, leaving individuals feeling utterly worthless.”
➣ Gwenn Eyer
“Gaslighting undermines self-trust, rendering individuals vulnerable to manipulation and control.”
➣ Stephanie Sarkis
“Gaslighters exploit vulnerabilities, using them as weapons for psychological torment.”
➣ Wendy M. Robertson
“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
“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
“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
“Because of our built-in insecurity, we are very sensitive when it is manipulated.”
➣ Rick Tobin
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Narcissist Gaslighting Quotes on Narcissistic Behavior Patterns
“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
“When narcissists ask ‘How do you feel?’, they are actually saying, ‘I am not feeling good, and now listen to me.'”
➣ Emma Xu
“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
“Kindness from a narcissist is called an illusion.”
➣ Alice Little
“Beware of narcissistic people. They’ll tell everyone you’re crazy, only to cover up their trickery.”
➣ Mitta Xinindlu
“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
“A narcissist’s criticism is their autobiography.”
➣ M. Wakefield
“Narcissists, however, are similar to a spider that has built a web for its prey to bring itself.”
➣ Mwanandeke Kindembo
“Narcissists withhold affection to punish you. Withhold attention to get revenge. And withhold an emotional empathetic response to make you feel insecure.”
➣ Alice Little
“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
“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
“Where there is much pride or much vanity, there will also be much revengefulness.”
➣ Arthur Schopenhauer
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Quotes About Setting Boundaries and Reclaiming Power from Gaslighting
“If you alter your behavior because you are frightened of how your partner will react, you are being abused.”
➣ Sandra Horley
“Some people will label you as vindictive, unforgiving or even evil for not allowing them to hurt you, yet again.”
➣ Wayne Gerard Trotman
“Changed behavior is the only apology, otherwise, it’s just manipulation.”
➣ Maranda Pleasant
“The more you value yourself, the healthier your boundaries are.”
➣ Lorraine Nilon
“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
“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
“Toxic people be like, ‘How dare you set boundaries and not allow me to control and manipulate you?'”
➣ Wingheart
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
➣ Alice Walker
“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
“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
“In any healthy relationship, you should feel heard and respected, not confused and invalidated.”
➣ Unknown
“Gaslighting of the soul: They do everything to dim your light, and then they ask you why you’re not shining.”
➣ Unknown
Narcissist Gaslighting Quotes About Healing and Recovery
“You are not broken and in need of fixing. You are wounded and in need of healing.”
➣ Danu Morrigan
“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
“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
“Remember, a fact is a fact, no matter how hard the liars amongst you might try hushing it up.”
➣ Billy Childish
“It’s okay to get gaslighted once in a while; that’s how you learn to burn brighter without guile.”
➣ Philusufar
“Manipulative people are those who wish to be loved on their own terms.”
➣ David S. Viscott
“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
“Often enough the manipulator approaches, stimulates, or even creates a powerful wish or a strong desire in the target’s mind.”
➣ Sapir Handelman
“Your narcissistic abuser withholds information in a conversation and replaces it with false information. That’s gaslighting.”
➣ Unknown
“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
“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
“If they can no longer score on you, then they can no longer manipulate you.”
➣ Dorothy McCoy
Conclusion
These narcissist gaslighting quotes illuminate the dark tactics of manipulation and validate the experiences of survivors everywhere. Recognition is your superpower—once you see gaslighting clearly, you can protect yourself and begin genuine healing.
Trust yourself, set boundaries, and remember that breaking free from narcissistic abuse is not only possible but your absolute right.
FAQ’s
How do you shut a gaslighter down?
Stay calm, state facts clearly, set firm boundaries, and refuse to engage in circular arguments.
What are the three phrases narcissists use?
“That never happened,” “You’re too sensitive,” and “You’re crazy” are common narcissist gaslighting phrases used.
How to shut down a narcissist in an argument quotes?
Use: “I disagree,” “We see this differently,” or “I’m not discussing this further.”
How to spot a gaslighter?
Watch for reality denial, blame-shifting, making you doubt yourself, and refusing to take accountability ever.
At NarcissistQuotes.com, Elizabeth Taylor curates powerful, thought-provoking quotes that expose narcissistic behavior, promote self-awareness, and support emotional healing. Her work is dedicated to helping readers recognize toxic patterns and reclaim their inner strength.