If I respect myself and believe in what I'm doing, no one can

In the quiet depths of the soul, there is a truth that transcends the noise of the world, a principle that Fiona Apple so boldly captures in her words: "If I respect myself and believe in what I'm doing, no one can touch me." These words, simple yet profound, speak to the very essence of personal power and self-respect. For to hold self-respect is to stand unwavering against the forces of doubt, criticism, and fear that seek to undermine the spirit. When one believes in their own purpose and worth, the world may throw obstacles, but it can never truly touch the core of who they are.

The ancients understood the immense power that self-respect and confidence could have in shaping the destiny of individuals. Socrates famously said, "An unexamined life is not worth living," implying that the true power of an individual comes not from external sources, but from self-awareness and internal alignment. To respect oneself is to understand one’s values, to act with integrity, and to live in accordance with one’s deepest truth. Just as the ancient Greek philosophers sought to find wisdom within, Fiona Apple's words remind us that our true strength lies in our self-belief—the belief that we are worthy and that our actions have meaning.

Consider the great warrior Achilles, whose tale in the Iliad reflects the intersection of self-respect and destiny. Despite being nearly invincible, Achilles’ strength lay not in his prowess alone but in his honor—his respect for his own integrity and the code by which he lived. When his pride was wounded, when his honor was dishonored, Achilles withdrew from battle, not out of weakness but as an assertion of his own self-respect. In this way, he shows us that true strength is not merely a matter of physical power but of standing firm in one’s beliefs, values, and actions.

In the face of adversity, the ancient Stoics taught that what truly matters is not the external forces that challenge us but our own response to those forces. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, famously stated, "It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." This resonates deeply with Apple’s sentiment: when we respect ourselves and act in alignment with our truth, no external force can truly harm us. We may face setbacks, criticism, or rejection, but if we stand firm in our convictions, we remain unshaken. Marcus Aurelius, too, in his meditations, urges us to focus on what is within our control—our thoughts, our actions, and our beliefs—and to hold self-respect above all else.

In modern history, we see the power of self-respect reflected in figures like Mahatma Gandhi, whose unwavering belief in nonviolence and justice made him untouchable by the forces of oppression. Gandhi faced exile, imprisonment, and immense personal hardship, but his respect for his own principles and the power of his inner truth shielded him from the forces that sought to break him. His example teaches us that when we are rooted in conviction and self-belief, the world’s attempts to diminish us are rendered powerless. Like Fiona Apple, Gandhi found his strength not in external validation but in his belief in his mission and the respect he held for his own integrity.

There is also a lesson in self-respect that speaks to how we treat others. When we respect ourselves, we honor the worth of others as well. To walk in this world with dignity is to reflect that respect outwardly, building relationships that are founded on mutual understanding and honor. Just as the ancients spoke of the Golden Rule, that we should treat others as we wish to be treated, Apple’s words remind us that our strength, our protection, comes from within, but it also extends outward. When we respect ourselves, we set the standard for how others should treat us, and in doing so, we build an armor of confidence that no force can penetrate.

The lesson to carry forward from Fiona Apple’s words is clear: self-respect and belief in one's purpose are the greatest shields against the trials of life. Just as the ancients taught us that the wisdom of the heart and mind brings true power, so too must we cultivate a deep self-awareness, stand firm in our values, and trust in the meaning of our actions. It is not enough to live in this world, subject to its judgments and demands; we must live with conviction, understanding that when we respect ourselves, we are invincible. Let us, then, walk with the strength of self-respect, knowing that belief in our own worth is the greatest power we can wield in this world.