There are four things that no one can take away from you. First, knowledge and skills. Once you learn something, it's yours forever. People can take away material possessions, but they cannot erase what you know.
Second, faith and beliefs. Your inner convictions, values, and faith are personal and cannot be forcibly removed by anyone else.
Third, character and integrity. Your honesty, kindness, and moral values are a part of who you are, and no one can take them from you unless you choose to abandon them.
Fourth, hope and determination. No matter the circumstances, your ability to stay hopeful and keep pushing forward is entirely within your control.
These inner assets shape who you are and remain with you regardless of external challenges.
But, wait a minute, can't other people take our mindset, character and attitude from us? Mindset, character, and attitude are deeply personal, and while they can't be forcibly taken away like physical possessions, they can be influenced or changed due to external factors. However, the extent to which they change depends on the individual.
No one can directly take away your mindset, but it can be shaped by experiences, challenges, and influences. However, if you actively choose to maintain a growth mindset and resilience, it remains in your control.
While no one can steal your character, it can be tested or influenced by pressure, hardships, or bad company. However, if you stay true to your values, your character remains intact.
Others can try to affect your attitude through negativity, criticism, or manipulation, but ultimately, your reaction is up to you. A strong-willed person maintains their positive attitude despite external influences.
So, while these qualities can be shaped by life events, they cannot be taken away unless a person allows them to be changed.
Now, back to our four inner assets. Let’s delve deeper into why these four qualities—Knowledge and Skills, Faith and Beliefs, Character and Integrity, and Hope and Determination—cannot be taken away from a person.
Once a person acquires knowledge and develops skills, they become an intrinsic part of them. Unlike material possessions, which can be stolen or lost, knowledge stays within a person’s mind and can continue to grow.
Once a person acquires knowledge and develops skills, they become an intrinsic part of them. Unlike material possessions, which can be stolen or lost, knowledge stays within a person’s mind and can continue to grow.
Knowledge and skills are a form of internal wealth that no thief, oppressor, or misfortune can take away. Once a person learns something and gains expertise, it becomes a part of them. While access to education can be restricted, the knowledge already acquired remains within a person’s mind.
Knowledge grows through application. Even if someone loses all their resources, as long as they retain their knowledge, they can rebuild their success. Skills improve over time. A craftsman, artist, or writer may lose their tools, but their ability to create remains intact.
While in prison, Malcolm X taught himself to read by copying every word in the dictionary. His knowledge became his power, leading him to become one of the most influential civil rights leaders. Even when his freedom was taken, his ability to think and learn remained intact.
Knowledge and skills are stored in the mind and refined through experience. Even if a person loses their possessions, freedom, or social status, the wisdom and abilities they have gained remain intact.
Have you ever lost something material but still succeeded because of what you knew? Think about how your knowledge is your most secure possession. Knowledge empowers people to rebuild their lives after loss or hardship. Skills remain useful across different circumstances. Even if someone loses a job or resources, their expertise enables them to find new opportunities. True education is more than just information—it transforms thinking and problem-solving.
In her groundbreaking book, Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfill Your Potential (2006, Ballantine Books), Dr. Carol S. Dweck explores the profound difference between two mindsets that shape how people approach learning, success, and personal development.
First, the Fixed Mindset, the belief that abilities are static. People with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence, talents, and abilities are innate and unchangeable. They see these traits as something one is born with, rather than something that can be developed through effort.
Dweck mentions the characteristics of a Fixed Mindset.
- Avoids challenges – Fears failure because it is seen as proof of inability.
- Gives up easily – If something is too difficult, they assume they “just aren’t good at it.”
- Ignores constructive feedback – Criticism is seen as a personal attack rather than an opportunity to improve.
- Feels threatened by others’ success – Believes that another person’s achievement diminishes their own worth.
Dweck conducted studies where students were given challenging puzzles. Those with a fixed mindset avoided harder tasks, fearing they would expose their limitations. Instead of learning from mistakes, they preferred to stick to what they were already good at.
Second, The Growth Mindset: the belief that intelligence and skills can be developed. In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe that intelligence and abilities are malleable—they can be developed with effort, learning, and perseverance.
Characteristics of a Growth Mindset:
- Embraces challenges – Sees difficulties as opportunities to grow.
- Persists through obstacles – Believes that setbacks are temporary and can be overcome.
- Learns from criticism – Uses feedback as a tool for self-improvement.
- Finds inspiration in others’ success – Views successful people as role models rather than threats.
Dweck studied students who faced challenging tasks. Those with a growth mindset chose to keep trying, believing that intelligence could be improved through effort. Their persistence led to greater long-term learning and success compared to those with a fixed mindset.
No one can take away what you have learned; instead, your ability to improve and apply your knowledge is always within your control. Learning does not stop at knowledge acquisition. You have the power to improve and apply what you know in new ways, no matter the situation.
Dweck’s research shows that when students believe that learning is an ongoing process, they are more motivated to apply their knowledge in different situations. Even failures become learning opportunities, reinforcing the idea that knowledge and skills are always within one's control. Your knowledge cannot be taken away, but it is up to you to keep growing and using it effectively.
Ovid’s Metamorphoses (8 CE) is a poetic masterpiece about transformation, where change is a constant force in life. His stories often highlight how individuals retain or develop their inner qualities despite external transformations. In Metamorphoses Book 8, Ovid describes Daedalus, the legendary inventor, who is trapped in Crete but uses his intellect and skills to escape by crafting wings. His knowledge remains his greatest asset, proving that no external force can strip a person of their learning.
Daedalus, ut clivo crevisse putes, sic rustica quondam
[Daedalus, as if nature had given him a slope to climb,]
fistula disparibus paulatim surgit avenis.
[fashioned his work like a shepherd’s pipe, step by step.]
Knowledge and skills develop gradually—Daedalus created his wings through understanding and experimentation, not merely through physical strength. Knowledge cannot be taken away from a person, even when they are imprisoned, because knowledge is true power. Knowledge and skills are a unique form of internal wealth because they reside within a person’s mind and character, making them fundamentally different from material possessions. Unlike money, property, or physical assets, which can be stolen, confiscated, or destroyed by thieves, oppressors, or unfortunate events, knowledge and skills are deeply ingrained in an individual. They are acquired through personal effort, learning, and experience, and once gained, they become an inseparable part of who you are.
Even in the face of adversity, such as losing your job, being displaced, or suffering material loss, your knowledge and skills remain with you. They empower you to adapt, rebuild, and create new opportunities, regardless of your circumstances. No external force can simply take away your ability to think critically, solve problems, or apply what you have learned. In this way, knowledge and skills provide a sense of security and resilience that material wealth cannot offer. They are a lasting source of strength and potential, always available to help you navigate life’s challenges and pursue new paths, no matter what misfortune may come your way.
Knowledge and skills significantly contribute to personal resilience by equipping individuals with the tools to adapt, problem-solve, and thrive in the face of adversity. Resilience is not about avoiding challenges but about navigating through them effectively, and knowledge and skills form the foundation for this capability.
Knowledge provides individuals with a deeper understanding of their circumstances, enabling them to analyze situations critically and make informed decisions. For example, lifelong learning fosters adaptability by helping people embrace change and view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats. Similarly, emotional intelligence, which is a skill developed through self-awareness and practice, enhances one’s ability to manage stress and maintain composure during difficult times.
Skills, on the other hand, are practical tools that allow individuals to take action. Problem-solving skills enable people to break down complex challenges into manageable steps, while communication skills help them seek support or collaborate with others effectively. These abilities are critical in building resilience because they empower individuals to face setbacks with confidence and determination.
Moreover, knowledge and skills contribute to resilience by fostering self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to overcome obstacles. This confidence motivates individuals to persist despite difficulties and reinforces their capacity to bounce back stronger. For instance, cultivating coping mechanisms such as mindfulness or goal-setting can help people manage stress and maintain focus on long-term objectives.
Knowledge and skills are fundamental to personal resilience because they empower individuals to navigate challenges, adapt to change, and recover from setbacks effectively. Resilience is not merely about enduring difficulties but also involves learning from experiences and growing stronger as a result. Knowledge provides the understanding necessary to grasp the complexities of challenges, whether they involve stress, adversity, or change. For example, knowing the mechanisms of stress or triggers of anxiety equips people to anticipate and manage their emotional responses.
Skills complement knowledge by enabling practical action. Problem-solving skills allow individuals to break down challenges into manageable steps, while adaptability helps them adjust their strategies to fit new circumstances. Emotional intelligence, a skill rooted in self-awareness and interpersonal understanding, enhances resilience by improving stress management and fostering better relationships.
