“Teeth fall out because they’re too strong. But the tongue knows when to show its weakness and that’s how it lasts longer.” Truly smart people know how to show weakness.
Growing up teaches us to build tough armor and hide our vulnerable hearts. But we forget that even the strongest people aren’t immune to everything. No one can conquer every storm.
Showing weakness isn’t being weak. It’s a gentle skill. It’s the wisdom of knowing when to push and when to pull back.
Too Strong
My friend is beautiful, has a great personality, and is really good at her job.
At work, she’s always leading the way and knows everything. It seems like there’s nothing she can’t do. Her amazing work skills made her the obvious “leader” in the eyes of her coworkers.
But it was also obvious that she took on most of the work. She never complained about being tired. Even when she was exhausted, she’d push through and finish the job.
After a while, everyone just got used to it. They thought it was normal for a hardworking person to do more. So her workload kept growing. But no one knew she was having trouble sleeping. No one understood how lost she felt.
It was the same at home. Her boyfriend seemed like a kid who never grew up compared to her strong and capable self. From fixing a flat tire to ordering food, she was always the one to step up.
But even so, her boyfriend left her. He said she was too bossy and he didn’t feel like he mattered in the relationship.
From a young age, we’re taught to be independent and strong. So when we face something we can’t handle, we try to tough it out.
To look stronger, we don’t like to tell people about our fears, anxieties, or helplessness. Over time, we become the strong person everyone thinks doesn’t need help.
No one knows you’re holding your head up because you’re afraid of crying. No one knows your strength is just pretending. Being too strong is like being too weak. It’s a problem.
You Can’t Be Strong Forever. You Can’t Be Soft Forever. There’s Nothing Wrong with Showing Weakness.
There’s nothing wrong with being strong. But when you overdo it, it becomes stubbornness, and that’s not good. On the other hand, showing weakness at the right time can teach us to face the tough world with kindness.
Remember, sometimes, the kinder you are, the stronger you are.
Showing Weakness is a Gentle Strength
A girl finally landed a job as a salesperson at a high-end jewelry store. One day, as she was organizing the rings in the display case, a man in his 30s walked in.
The phone rang and she hurried to answer it. She accidentally knocked over a box and six diamond rings fell to the floor. She quickly searched around and found five of them, but the sixth ring was nowhere to be found.
Then she saw the man walking quickly toward the door. She knew he probably had the ring.
As the man’s foot was about to step out the door, the girl called out to him in a soft voice: “Excuse me, sir.” The man turned around and they stared at each other for a long time.
“Sir, this is my first job, and it’s really hard to find work these days, right?” The girl said with a sad look on her face.
The man looked at her for a long time and finally smiled a little. “Yes, you’re right,” he said. “But I’m sure you’ll do well here.”
The man took a step forward and extended his hand. “Can I wish you good luck?” The girl immediately reached out and said, “I wish you good luck too.”
The man turned and left. The girl put the sixth ring back in its place. This could have been a theft, but the girl used kindness and pleading to change the mind of a not-so-bad thief and successfully resolved the crisis.
In fact, when we face something difficult, we don’t always have to fight. We don’t always have to be tough. Knowing when to show weakness can often help us get more done and avoid unnecessary trouble.
So we need to be strong enough to weather any storm, but we also need to be kind enough to soften the world. No matter what, always remember that showing weakness is a gentle strength.
Knowing How to Show Weakness Can Help You Go Further
Mature wheat knows how to bend.
Showing weakness at the right time isn’t giving up or being cowardly. It’s about being realistic about your situation. It’s a wise way to live.
Being strong is something you learn. But showing weakness is something you’re born with. Don’t spend your whole life building strength and forget the natural ability you were given.
In reality, smart people know how to show weakness. They understand that knowing when to push and when to pull back, knowing when to take and when to give up, is what keeps you from losing everything.
People who can show weakness aren’t weak. They just use their strength where it’s needed most. They store up power to get through tough times.
In life, only by learning to show weakness can we understand the meaning of “overcoming strength with softness.” Only then do we understand how kindness can be our armor. May you spend your life being smart and strong. May showing weakness give you more strength.