“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option” is a saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 2002, when it was credited to Nina Potts-Jefferies.
   
American author Mark Twain (the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemons, 1835-1910) has been frequently credited for the saying, although he never said it.
 
   
Google Books
Why Men Love Bitches:
From Doormat to Dreamgirl—A Woman’s Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship
By Sherry Argov
Avon, MA: Adams Media
2002
Pg. 213:
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
—NINA POTTS-JEFFERIES
 
Google News Archive
23 February 2005, The Argus-Press (Owosso, MI), “Curwood Festival royalty to be chosen for 2005,” pg. 3, col. 4:
Her (Megan Rogers—ed.) favorite quote: never allow someone to be your priority while allowing your self to be their option.”
 
Google Books
The Powder Box Secrets:
Seven Tips to Help Teen Girls Achieve Success
By Carrie Silver-Stock
O"Fallon, MO: Girls with Dreams
2007
Pg. 61:
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
Author Unknown
 
Twitter
Sajber 浪人 Vanderlast
‏@CyberWanderlust
@Alainajury YES,“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
4:19 AM - 13 Jul 2007
 
Twitter
Sean Dong
‏@wonderxboy
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option” —  Mark Twain
3:31 PM - 12 Sep 2008
 
Google Books
The Slacker’s Method:
A How to Guide for Men Seeking Women on Craigslist
By The September Man (Chelsea Rivas-Goodwin and Heather Leon)
Published by TSM Media
2010
Pg. ?:
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option”. – Mark Twain
 
18 April 2011, The Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica), “Singular Subjects: Are you too nice?.” Flair Magazine, pg. 16, col. 4:
Nina Potts-Jefferies said: “Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
 
Wikiquote: Talk: Mark Twain
never allow…
“never allow someone to be your priority when you’re just their option”
 
Lot’s of Facebook posts and less-than-reliable websites crediting this to Twain, but I’m sure it’s not. Doesn’t sound like him. (PS, if you respond, please say so on my Eng Wikipedia talkpage) Oiyarbepsy (talk) 00:07, 19 September 2015 (UTC)
 
Twitter
Quotes
‏@quotes
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.” - Mark Twain
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2:03 PM - 23 Oct 2015