None can destroy iron but its own rust: This is a beautiful quote by Ratan Tata talking about the power of mindset and human resolve. Just like iron can be destroyed by rust easily, our mindset can corrupt us and lead us down to a harmful path. This quote reminds us to think about the thoughts that influence us and be careful about what we let influence us.
None can destroy iron, but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a person but his own mindset can
Ratan Tata
We are the gatekeepers to decide which thoughts are let in. These thoughts not only influence us but also change our approach to challenges and life in general. This quote by Ratan Tata – None can destroy iron but its rust is an inspiration calling our attention to the mind where everything happens.
None can destroy iron but its own rust
Your personality is known for its strength, resilience and the ability to stand tall in the wake of challenges. However, just like iron, the external environment influences your personality. These experiences are in the form of challenges, failures and opportunities. These are all occurrences.
Our personality and character must be guarded at all times to ensure that we filter what influences us. If we’re allowing bad experiences to shape our character, the outcome will also be bad. We can’t control these experiences but can certainly define what they mean to us.
In other words, you’re always in control – whether it is your life, dreams or passions. No one else can decide for you – nor be responsible for your success or failure. Just like this Ratan Tata quote on iron and rust – None can destroy iron but its own rust – only you can influence your personality. Everything else can just be a motivator or an influencer.
None can destroy a person but his own mindset can
The most prominent point in this quote by Ratan Tata is about the power of mindset. This mindset defines who we are, what inspires us and how easy it is to break our resolve and determination. This mindset can make or break us. It helps us either get inspired or overwhelmed by opportunities. The best thing we can do is to find ways to protect this mindset just like we protect iron from rust.
As soon as we get better at managing our mindset, a whole new world opens up in front of us. It creates multiple opportunities and possibilities to make things happen. It can elevate your life. Your personality and character are shaped by how you perceive things. If you’re able to stop for a minute and understand what things mean – the same outcomes can shape you differently.
You can always be in control if you choose to. People use this as an excuse as to how life messed up their chances. It is a weak excuse. We are always in charge even when things don’t seem like it. This doesn’t sound fun – we are responsible for both success and failure in our life. By that very essence- none can destroy iron but its own rust. It is our own interpretations that define our life and their outcomes. Anything else is a mere excuse.
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This quote is a good food for thought. Though I felt that the explanation drifts a little away from the crux of the quote, I liked reading it better than dwelling in the quote 😉 You’ve touched a complex subject which has many layers to it. To look into what matters to you the most is ‘the’ essential need with the kind of busy lives we have. I face it in my day to day life. As a mom with two young kids, a messy home gleaming at me every morning, a job to be answerable at the end of the day, a handful of passions in my heart and mind and other relationships to manage, having clarity on my priorities is more than important, for those which I do not water for a while will die a slow death in time. In earlier times, I guess people were content with a simple 9-5 job they had in hand regardless of how happy or not they were with it. But today, we have opportunities all around us for improving and we refuse to buy an undemanding life. Reminds me how Darwin’s theory of natural selection is ubiquitous in its application.
He he nice to hear from you Nandini. I do tend to take a bit of poetic liberty at times and the rant goes on in a different direction like today. Curious to know though, what does this quote mean to you and where does its crux lie from your perspective?
Thank you for your kind words, I am a true believer in the strength of a personality which makes you achieve some tremendous things. Also, from the moment we start noticing simple things that can keep adding to our personality, I reckon it has a big influence on our growth and ability to take on newer challenges. This has perhaps been a guiding thought for me for years and has done some incredible difference to my approach to circumstances. Doesn’t always put me in the right spirit, but helps me get there a little quicker each time.
I am completely with you – today we have so many opportunities around us that it is almost a shame if we don’t make use of it to serve our needs. As you mention, there are so many things which demand our time each day. If we keep running behind them, we will always find that the important things seem to get lost in the melee. Things get done, but at times it makes me wonder where our important items stack up. More importantly, we are so attuned to serve the needs of people we love, the last precedence is taken by the inner self of ours. Call me selfish, but I am a big believer that it is internal strength and personality which can drive us a long way in attaining our own self satisfaction and a great perspective with which we can control things.
Gosh I sound like a control freak now :D :D