50 Toxic Relationship Quotes To Help You Know Who To Trust

Some friendships aren't meant to last a lifetime.

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Ever dreaded hanging out with a friend you've known forever? You are not alone! Many of us have had at least one such friend who thinks that it is their moral duty to criticize us on what we wear, what we eat, and even whom we date.

These people make us feel like we’re always doing something wrong.

But when it comes to our actual needs from the friendship, they fail to deliver.

What is a toxic relationship?

RELATED: 10 Best Fake People Quotes About Fake Friends

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People with whom we are in toxic relationships never seem to be there to lend an ear or say something nice to uplift us. Yet, it seems like they are the first one in the line when it comes to criticizing us.

The relationship is toxic if being in the presence of your friend starts to give you anxiety, or you can feel like you've started to resent them for their unkindness and you're having trouble standing up for yourself and your own needs. 

Toxic relationships have the potential to actually become emotionally abusive and detrimental to your own mental health.

What are some signs of a toxic relationship?

There are a few major signs of a toxic friendship to look for:

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1. You feel uncomfortable around this person.

2. This person is flaky.

3. The relationship feels one-sided.

So to help you identify who in your life is there for you — and which toxic friends are taking up space both figuratively and literally ... and need to go — we have gathered the best wise toxic friendship quotes about moving on to help you let go.

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These toxic relationship quotes will get you thinking about everything that feels wrong in your friendship.

And maybe, just maybe, you will take that final step and say goodbye to that toxic relationship once and for all.

1. "They will ignore you until they need you."

toxic relationship quote

2. "A bad relationship is like standing on broken glass, if you stay you will keep hurting. If you walk away, you will hurt but eventually you will heal." ― Autumn Kohler

3. "Such a disappointment when you defend someone for so long thinking they are different and they turn out to be just like what everyone said." 

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4. “It's very possible and very okay to forgive someone and still not want to spend time with them” ― Karen Salmansohn

5. "A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow." ― William Shakespeare

william shakespeare toxic relationship quote

6. “If someone keeps bringing you down, perhaps it's time to get up and leave.” ― Karen Salmansohn

7. “Was looking for honey; found poison instead.” ― Shivangi Dhawan

8. “Handling toxic people is not an art, they will be the victim of their own toxicity.” ― P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar

9. "People inspire you or they drain you. Pick them wisely."  ― Hans F. Hansen

hans f hansen toxic relationship quote

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10. “Someone who truly loves you will never expect you to give up your goals, dreams, or ambitions. They will encourage you, not hold you back.” ― Anthon St. Maarten

11. "People may not always tell you how they feel about you, but they will always show you. Pay attention." ― Keri Hilson

keri hilson toxic relationship quote

12. “How you choose to feel today should not be dependent on others.” ― Anthon St. Maarten

13. "Not everyone will appreciate what you do for them. You have to figure out who's worth your kindness and who's just taking advantage."

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14. “God will always bring the right people into your life, but you have to let the wrong people walk away.” – Joel Osteen

15. “Keeping bad company is like being in a germ-infested area. You never know what you’ll catch.” ― Frank Sonnenberg

16. "The only people who are mad at you for speaking the truth are those people who are living a lie. Keep speaking the truth."

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17. “Save your skin from the corrosive acids from the mouths of toxic people. Someone who just helped you to speak evil about another person can later help another person to speak evil about you.” ― Israelmore Ayivor

18. “Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light.” ― Kamand Kojouri

19. "Only those who care about you can hear you when you're quiet."

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20. “Toxic people attach themselves like cinder blocks tied to your ankles, and then invite you for a swim in their poisoned waters.” ― John Mark Green

21. "I trusted you and you betrayed me."

toxic relationship quote

22. “If you walked away from a toxic, negative, abusive, one-sided, dead-end, low vibrational, relationship or friendship — you won.” ― Lalah Delia

23. "True friendship isn't about being there when it's convenient; it's about being there when it's not."

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24. “There’s folks you just don’t need. You’re better off without em. Your life is just a little better because they ain’t in it.” ― William Gay

25. "Making new friends shouldn't mean losing old ones."

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RELATED: 10 Huge Things You Need To Know About Leaving A Toxic Relationship

26. “If someone thinks you’re being dramatic or selfish, then they obviously haven’t walked a mile in your shoes. It’s not important for you to explain yourself." ― Sarah Newman

27. "Friends are supposed to be there for you when you cry not the reason you cry."

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28.“If people keep stepping on you, wear a pointy hat.” ― Joyce Rachelle

29. "I no longer have the energy for meaningless friendships, forced interactions or unnecessary conversations." ― Joquesse Eugenia

IJoquesse Eugenia toxic relationship quote

30. “The idea is quite simple, stay a light year away from people who make you feel less about yourself.” ― Mohith Agadi

31. "Sometimes you need to give up on people, not because you don't care but because they don't." ― Jennifer Green

Jennifer Green toxic relationship quote

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32. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." ― Steve Jobs​

33. "Be careful who you share your weaknesses with. Some people can't wait for the opportunity to use them against you." 

toxic relationship quote

34. "Not everyone you meet is meant to stay." ―  Anurag Prakash Ray

35. "It took me way too long to realize that you shouldn't stay friends with people who never ask how you're doing." ― Drew Monson

Drew Monson toxic relationship quote

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36. "You must make a decision that you are going to move on. It won't happen automatically. You will have to rise up and say, 'I don't care how hard this is, I don't care how disappointed I am, I'm not going to let this get the best of me. I'm moving on with my life." ―  Joel Osteen

37. "When people treat you like they don't care, believe them."

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38. “I mean, if the relationship can’t survive the long term, why on earth would it be worth my time and energy for the short term?” ― Nicholas Sparks

39. "Toxic relationships are dangerous to your health; they will literally kill you. Stress shortens your lifespan. Even a broken heart can kill you. This is your wake-up call!” ― Bryant McGill

40. “Letting go of toxic people in your life is a big step in loving yourself.” —Hussein Nishah

41. "The people in your life should be a source of reducing stress not causing more of it."

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42. “If they do it often, it isn’t a mistake; it’s just their behavior.” — Dr. Steve Maraboli

43. “Relationships end, but they don’t end your life.” – Steve Martin

44. "Certain people and their toxic energy can block you from expanding, elevating and vibrating higher. Detach and protect your energy."

toxic relationship quote

45. “Losing will not always amount to a loss, sometimes you have to lose those toxic relationships and bad habits to create a space for better things.” ― Gift Gugu Mona

46. "Sometimes you miss the memories, not the person." 

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47. “Toxic people will pollute everything around them. Don’t hesitate. Fumigate.” ― Mandy Hale

48. "Don't tell me I've changed, when in reality, I just stopped dealing with you."

toxic relationship quote

49. “I burned my bridges so the devil couldn’t follow me.” ― L.M. Browning

50. "The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become."

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RELATED: 7 Signs Your Best Friend Is An Emotional Vampire

Mehruba Chowdhury​ is a passionate writer who covers astrology and zodiac, pop-culture and trending topics.