Strength vs. Truth

Updated: May 2026.

Daughter: Mom, a girl said there’s something wrong with me…

Mom: What do you think?

Daughter: I don’t know… It feels bad.

Mom: So you need to choose what you believe in — strength or truth.

Daughter: Are you going into therapist mode?

Mom: Yep. This situation is a perfect example of strength attacking truth.

Daughter: How so?

Mom: If strength matters most to you, then when someone puts you down, you will feel like you’ve lost power. Losing power makes you insecure and causes suffering. What exactly did the girl say to you?

Daughter: She said I used to be more interesting…

Mom: Do you feel how she took your power away? Do you feel that insecurity?

Daughter: Yes, a lot.

Mom: But if truth matters to you more than strength, you will rely on facts and trust yourself. Hurtful comments won’t touch you, because you’ll be grounded in truth — in what you yourself know about who you are. And if the girl says to you:

“You used to be so much more interesting — what happened to you?” — you will stay calm, knowing you are just fine. You might even respond:

“Why do you want me to feel insecure? Maybe you boost your own confidence by making others feel less sure of themselves. I can suggest a smarter way to build self-esteem — like helping people who feel unsure of themselves.“

That is how truth wins in a fight with strength.

Daughter: Thanks, Mom. I’m so lucky you’re a psychologist! 😉

By explaining the concept of strength vs. truth to her daughter, the mom helps her understand how negative comments can chip away at self-esteem. She teaches her daughter to recognize genuine values, resist provocation, and respond in a constructive way.