I want to thank my mum, my daddy, my coach, my teacher

Hear, O seekers of humility and gratitude, the words of Jet Li, spoken in the fullness of his heart: “I want to thank my mum, my daddy, my coach, my teacher, everybody in my life.” In this simple acknowledgment lies a wisdom greater than fame, greater than strength, greater even than victory. For the one who remembers those who shaped him, who honors the roots from which he grew, is greater than the one who thinks he rose alone.

In these words we hear not pride, but reverence. Jet Li, though master of martial skill and beloved on stages and screens, knows that his path was not carved by his hand alone. His mother, who nurtured him with love; his father, who gave him the foundation of life; his coach, who disciplined his body; his teacher, who shaped his mind; all are present in his triumph. He does not stand as one man, but as the sum of many lives poured into his own. Thus he teaches us that greatness is never solitary—it is the fruit of countless unseen labors.

Consider how often the mighty forget this truth. Many warriors, kings, and artists stand before the people and boast of their own genius, their own effort, their own power. Yet the wise know that no one is self-made. The child who grows into a hero has always been carried, guided, sharpened by others. Even Alexander the Great, conqueror of nations, confessed the shaping hand of Aristotle, his teacher. Without Aristotle’s wisdom, Alexander’s ambition may have been reckless and blind. Greatness blooms only when watered by many hands.

This truth shines also in the story of Nelson Mandela. When he emerged from prison and rose as a leader of his nation, he gave thanks not only to his own endurance but to his mentors, comrades, and family, who sustained him through the long years. He spoke often of those who shaped his spirit: the mother who raised him, the chiefs who taught him tradition, the friends who marched beside him. His legacy was not his alone, but a tapestry woven from many threads.

The lesson, then, is clear: gratitude is the crown of greatness. To give thanks is not weakness, but strength; it is the recognition that we are part of something larger, a chain of love, discipline, and teaching that stretches behind us and before us. Those who forget their teachers and guides risk becoming arrogant, brittle, and blind. But those who give thanks remain grounded, humble, and connected to the flow of life.

Practical wisdom follows: in your own life, remember those who shaped you. Thank your parents, if they gave you care; thank your mentors, if they gave you guidance; thank your friends, if they gave you loyalty. Speak your gratitude aloud, for it strengthens bonds and nourishes hearts. And if you are in a position of greatness, let your thanks be louder than your pride. Gratitude is a light that never dims.

Thus, O children of tomorrow, carry this teaching: no victory is yours alone. Every achievement is a chorus of voices—the mother who raised, the father who supported, the teacher who guided, the coach who demanded, the friend who encouraged. To thank them is to acknowledge the truth of your own becoming. Jet Li’s words remind us: in the end, greatness is not only in mastery of the self, but in reverence for those who made us who we are.