If you've got a talent, protect it.

In the words of Jim Carrey, the actor who clothed his genius in laughter yet spoke often with the gravity of a philosopher, we hear this stern and shining counsel: “If you’ve got a talent, protect it.” This is not advice to hide one’s gift in fear, but a warning that the world, with its noise, distractions, and corruptions, will ever seek to dull or misuse the gifts placed in the human soul. Talent is a sacred trust. It is a flame lit within us, and like all fire, it must be guarded against wind and neglect, lest it be extinguished.

The origin of this truth lies in the nature of human ability. Talent is not earned but bestowed—it comes as breath to the singer, as vision to the painter, as eloquence to the speaker, as cunning to the builder. Yet though it is a gift, it is also fragile. Left unguarded, it may wither; abused, it may burn out; squandered, it may vanish. Carrey, who rose from hardship to triumph, knew well the temptations of fame, the wear of labor, and the danger of forgetting the inner fire amidst the clamor of the world. Hence his call: guard your gift, for none can restore it once it is lost.

History is rich with witnesses to this wisdom. Consider Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose talent was radiant even in childhood. Yet he lived without prudence, without protection of his gift, and though he produced marvels of music, his life ended in poverty, his talent squandered by excess and neglect. Contrast him with Leonardo da Vinci, who guarded his skills like a treasure chest, feeding them with study, discipline, and careful practice. He protected his gift, and thus it grew into genius that has illuminated centuries. The difference between the two is the difference between flame unshielded and flame protected.

The ancients too spoke of the duty to guard what is sacred. The Greeks told of Prometheus, who gave fire to mankind. That fire represented knowledge, craft, and ability—talent itself. Yet they also told of the dangers of fire unrestrained, which can warm the hearth or destroy the city. In the same way, talent must be protected and directed. It is not enough to possess it; one must guard it from waste, idleness, and corruption, so that it may serve a noble purpose.

The meaning of Carrey’s words is this: to have a talent is to bear responsibility. The gift is not given for idleness nor for self-destruction, but to be used for creation, for joy, for the bettering of self and others. Protecting it means practicing it, nurturing it, shielding it from exploitation, and honoring its worth. For though many men have desires, only a few are entrusted with rare gifts, and it is a betrayal to let them rot.

The lesson for us is eternal: if you are gifted in any way—be it in art, in thought, in craft, in leadership—guard it as you would guard your life. Do not drown it in indulgence, nor bury it in neglect. Surround yourself with those who value your gift and not merely the fame or profit it may bring. Protect it through discipline, through rest, through integrity, and through constant renewal. In this way, your talent will remain sharp and shining, a beacon through the years.

Practical counsel is this: each day, devote time to your gift. Practice it faithfully, even in small ways. Keep it from the poisons of cynicism, laziness, and false praise. Seek teachers who will sharpen it and companions who will respect it. When others seek to use it without honoring it, withdraw and protect it. And above all, remember that your talent is not merely for you, but for the world—for when guarded and nurtured, it can light the path for countless others.

Thus, Jim Carrey’s words ring not as a casual remark but as an ancient command: “If you’ve got a talent, protect it.” Children of tomorrow, heed this wisdom. Guard your gifts as sacred fires, and let them blaze forth not for a season but for a lifetime. For many are born with sparks, but few tend them well. Be among those who protect their flame until it burns as a torch to guide generations yet unborn.