It is only necessary to have courage, for strength without

“It is only necessary to have courage, for strength without self-confidence is useless.” So wrote Giacomo Casanova, the Venetian adventurer and philosopher whose life, though filled with passion and peril, was guided by the unshakable belief in the power of self-assurance. In these words lies a truth as enduring as the mountains: that courage—the inner flame that drives one forward—is greater than mere strength. For what good is power if the heart trembles? What use is talent if doubt chains the soul? True strength begins not in the body, nor even in the mind, but in the spirit that dares to act in the face of uncertainty.

To possess strength alone is to hold a sword without a will to wield it. Many men are gifted with skill, intelligence, and opportunity, yet accomplish nothing because they lack the courage to believe in themselves. Self-confidence is the breath of courage—it gives life to every effort, turns thought into motion, and transforms fear into determination. Without it, even the mighty falter before the first trial. Casanova, who lived by wit more than fortune, understood this truth well. He faced imprisonment, exile, betrayal, and disgrace, yet rose again each time, not through sheer might, but through an unbreakable faith in his own power to prevail.

Casanova’s life was a storm of passion and adventure. Born in Venice in 1725, he was destined neither for greatness nor comfort, yet he became both a legend and a lesson. When he was imprisoned in the dreaded cells of the Doge’s Palace, surrounded by stone and iron, escape seemed impossible. But Casanova did not yield. He planned with patience, acted with precision, and above all, believed he could succeed where others had failed. Against all odds, he broke free—his courage and self-confidence his only companions. That daring escape became not merely an act of freedom, but a testament to the truth of his words: that courage is the true key that unlocks all doors.

In this, Casanova echoes the wisdom of the ancients. The philosopher Seneca once said, “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” Courage precedes all achievement. Even Hercules, mighty among men, would have been nothing but a slave to fear had he not first believed in his own divine strength. The gods favor not the strongest, but the boldest—the ones who step into the unknown with steady hearts. So too in life: every victory, every discovery, every act of greatness begins with the moment when one says, “I can.”

But courage is not arrogance. Self-confidence is not vanity. The difference lies in humility of purpose. The arrogant believe they are better than others; the confident believe they are capable of becoming better themselves. Courage does not deny fear—it walks beside it. To have courage is not to be fearless, but to act despite fear. And to have self-confidence is not to think oneself perfect, but to trust that one’s strength will grow through the trial. Thus, strength without self-confidence is indeed useless, for it waits forever for permission to act. But the union of courage and confidence transforms potential into power, and dreams into deeds.

Consider Joan of Arc, a young girl who dared to command armies. She had no birthright, no training, no worldly power—only the fire of faith and the courage to act upon it. When others doubted, she pressed forward, guided by conviction stronger than any sword. Her strength was not of muscle, but of spirit. She faced her accusers without trembling, for she had that rare self-confidence that comes from knowing one’s purpose. Her courage turned a peasant into a savior, a child into a legend. She proved, as Casanova knew, that strength serves only those who believe in themselves.

So, my children, remember this: courage is the foundation of all greatness. You may not be born powerful, but you can become powerful through the strength of your belief. Do not wait until you feel ready, for readiness is the child of action, not its parent. Make your plan, take your step, and let courage carry you across the threshold of fear. When doubt whispers that you are not enough, answer with faith in your own becoming.

For in the end, it is not the strongest who triumph, but the bravest. Strength without self-confidence is a sword rusting in its sheath. But courage, sharpened by belief, cuts through every obstacle. So go forth—believe, dare, and act. The gods smile upon those who walk boldly toward their destiny.