You have to have faith and confidence in yourself, that you are

Hear now the words of Joseph D. Pistone, who declared: “You have to have faith and confidence in yourself, that you are better than the bad guys you’re dealing with. You have to have a lot of patience.” These words are not the idle musings of a dreamer, but the tempered wisdom of a man who walked in shadows, who lived among wolves yet did not become one. For Pistone, known as Donnie Brasco, was an agent who entered the very heart of the underworld, and from his trials he drew forth this teaching—sharpened by danger, tested by fire. His saying shines as a beacon for all who must face adversaries, whether those adversaries dwell in the world outside, or within the secret chambers of the soul.

He speaks first of faith, for without it, no battle may be won. Faith is the unseen armor that shields the warrior from despair. It is the voice that whispers in the silence: “You are enough.” Faith is not blind; it is the clear recognition that though the storm howls and the earth trembles, there lies within you a flame that cannot be extinguished. Pistone stood among men who would have slain him if they knew his true nature, yet his faith in himself did not falter. Without it, he would have been swallowed by fear. Thus we too must carry this armor, lest doubt devour us before the battle even begins.

Next, he names confidence, the sword that strikes where faith alone cannot. Confidence is not arrogance; it is the hard-earned strength of knowing your worth and trusting your preparation. Pistone’s foes were ruthless and cunning, but he knew that his training, his discipline, and his resolve gave him an advantage greater than their cruelty. In this we see a lesson for all generations: to confront evil—or hardship of any kind—you must not only believe in yourself but act with the courage that belief demands. To hesitate, to shrink, is to give your adversary the victory before the fight has begun.

Yet Pistone does not stop with faith and confidence; he speaks also of patience, that most neglected of virtues. Patience is the slow fire that forges steel into a sword. It is the river that wears away the stone. For six long years Pistone lived under a false name, weaving a delicate web of trust among dangerous men. Had he rushed, had he sought to seize glory too soon, he would have been discovered and destroyed. His victory came not from haste, but from the steady endurance of one who waits for the right moment. And so it is in our own struggles: the fruit of victory ripens not for the quick, but for the steadfast.

Let us recall the tale of Hannibal Barca, who, though faced with the vast power of Rome, did not lose faith in his cause. He led his weary troops across the Alps—an act many thought madness—and for years he confounded his enemies, striking with confidence and outlasting them with patience. Though Rome ultimately endured, Hannibal’s story teaches that greatness does not belong only to the strongest empire, but to the one who dares to believe, who dares to endure. His journey, like Pistone’s, proves that the mightiest battles are not won by the sword alone, but by the spirit.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, take this wisdom into your lives. When you face opposition, remember that you carry within you the tools to endure. Have faith that your worth is greater than the voices of doubt. Hold confidence in the skills and gifts you have cultivated. And above all, embrace patience, for without it, even the strongest flame burns out too soon.

In practical deed, let this be your path: each day, remind yourself of one strength you hold, however small. When trial rises, pause and breathe before you act, for patience is born in stillness. When you falter, return to faith, whispering, “I am enough.” When you fear, step forward with confidence, even if your step trembles. In this way, you will live the teaching of Pistone, and though the world may place wolves around you, you shall walk among them unharmed, knowing that light outlasts the darkness.

Thus, the teaching stands eternal: Faith shields the heart, confidence guides the hand, and patience secures the victory. Take these into your journey, and no enemy, whether without or within, shall overcome you.