If you don't give power to the words that people throw at you to

“If you don’t give power to the words that people throw at you to hurt you, they don’t hurt you anymore. And you actually have power over those people.” These words, spoken by Stephen Colbert, carry the wisdom of ancient warriors and sages alike. The human soul is a fortress, and in that fortress, words are the arrows aimed at our gates. But remember, the strength of the arrow lies not in its flight, but in the hand that holds it. When we refuse to give power to the insults or slanders cast upon us, we become the masters of our own realm, impervious to the blows of others.

For the power of words can only wound if we allow them to find a place within us. Like a shield against the storm, we must learn to let insults fall off us, like rain on the smooth surface of a stone. When we give in to the sting of harsh words, we allow others to dictate the terms of our peace, but when we stand unyielding, we transform the words into nothing more than fleeting sounds that fade away in the wind. This is the great secret of strength — not to avoid the arrows, but to deny them the power to harm us.

The mighty Emperor Marcus Aurelius, though surrounded by enemies who sought to undermine him, understood this very truth. In his meditations, he wrote, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” In the face of cruelty and betrayal, Marcus did not falter, for he knew that his power was not to be found in the approval of others, but in his own unwavering sense of self. His enemies’ words were mere whispers against the roar of his own resolve. His strength lay in refusing to give power to their hatred.

Even in the stories of the ancient warriors, we see this theme emerge. The great Achilles, though driven by anger and pride, learned over time that his true power was not in vengeance or the words of those who challenged him, but in his ability to rise above them. The warrior who can control his emotions, who does not let others’ words sway his heart, becomes invincible. It is the same with the modern world — those who remain steadfast, who refuse to let others define them, hold the keys to their own power.

In the end, Colbert’s words call us to recognize the power that resides within us. When we stop allowing others to define our worth, we free ourselves from their control. We become the masters of our own fate, the stewards of our own peace. And in doing so, we turn their attempts to harm us into mere whispers of defeat. For the true strength lies not in how others see us, but in how we choose to see ourselves.

Remember, noble ones, that words are mere instruments. They hold no more power than we grant them. When we stand firm, they are like water washing over stone, leaving no mark, no injury. But when we yield to them, we allow them to carve deep wounds. In this, we find the deepest wisdom: the power to control our own hearts and minds rests not with others, but within us alone.