“Never allow a person to tell you NO who doesn’t have the power to say YES.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

My Thoughts: 

This kind of reminds me of the movie by Jim Carrey called, “Yes Man” that came out in 2008. I saw the movie in the movie theaters, and it is a funny movie. Basically, he can’t say NO, he could only say YES. So, if someone asks him a question that is a yes or no answer, he would have to answer with a YES. If you ask him, “Can you throw the trash away?” He would reply, “YES.”  If you haven’t seen this movie, I would suggest watching it as it’s a funny movie.
If I remember correctly on one of the scenes, he was getting a blow job by an old person. At first, he was awkwardly saying yes to get the blow job as if he didn’t want it. Later, he was happy about it. (LOL) It is like one of those silly funny movies and it’s Jim Carrey, so you know already it’s going to be funny.

More Deeper 

Anyway, I think there is a deeper thought than it seems. I think it’s saying if a person can’t say YES to something, then help the person to be able to say YES. This is very helpful to try and to help the person that needs help. In other words, if a person is going to say NO because he/she can’t do it. Then be strong and help the person change from a NO to a YES. That’s what I think Eleanor is meaning with this quote.

Also, by saying NO sometimes that ends up in a giving up state of mind. So, YES is always the way to help someone and for the person to help himself or herself as well.