--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He can kick as hard as he wants but he…" description: "\"“He can kick as hard as he wants but he cannot destroy what is inside. I have a strong spirit and the Rat will never take that away from me, no matter ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kathryn-erskine-31340_strong-spirit_he-can-kick-as-hard-as-he-wants-but-he-c_1343507.png" --- # He can kick as hard as he wants but he cannot destroy what… ![“He can kick as hard as he wants but he cannot destroy what is inside. I have a strong spirit and the Rat will never take that away from me, no matter what he does. -Matt” quote by Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kathryn-erskine-31340_strong-spirit_he-can-kick-as-hard-as-he-wants-but-he-c_1343507.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kathryn-erskine-31340_strong-spirit_he-can-kick-as-hard-as-he-wants-but-he-c_1343507.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kathryn-erskine-31340_strong-spirit_he-can-kick-as-hard-as-he-wants-but-he-c_1343507.png) > ““He can kick as hard as he wants but he cannot destroy what is inside. I have a strong spirit and the Rat will never take that away from me, no matter what he does. -Matt”” [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Inner resilience cannot be broken by external threats; true strength lies within. **In simple terms:** Strength comes from within. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner fortitude. Themes resilience inner strength self‑belief Mood determined hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - bullying - personal adversity - mental health - self‑esteem Key Concepts psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect your inner self? - What practices nurture inner resilience? A Different Perspective External forces can still cause harm despite inner strength. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Strong spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-spirit/) ## Related quotes > [“Know inside yourself that you're strong. It's the only weapon that matters, and no one can teach that to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-brashear/know-inside-yourself-that-you-re-strong-it-s-the-only-weapon-that/) [Jean Brashear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-brashear/) > [“Love me or I will kick you very hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hoban/love-me-or-i-will-kick-you-very-hard/) [Russell Hoban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hoban/) > [“What you and I had was the most intense thing I’ve ever felt, but if it’s over for you, just kick me hard enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steph-campbell/what-you-and-i-had-was-the-most-intense-thing-i-ve-ever-felt-but-if/) [Steph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steph-campbell/) > [If you kick it hard, you're going to hook it. You've got to stay smooth. It's all technique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-janikowski/if-you-kick-it-hard-you-re-going-to-hook-it-you-ve-got-to-stay-smooth/) [Sebastian Janikowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-janikowski/) > [A lot of times guys have the tendency to try to kick it too hard or over-kick it. Just like a golf swing, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gostkowski/a-lot-of-times-guys-have-the-tendency-to-try-to-kick-it-too-hard-or/) [Stephen Gostkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gostkowski/) > [Every time I get the ball, I have to kick it as hard and as far as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlyn-harris/every-time-i-get-the-ball-i-have-to-kick-it-as-hard-and-as-far-as-i/) [Ashlyn Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlyn-harris/) > [I have a very strong spiritual base.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letoya-luckett/i-have-a-very-strong-spiritual-base/) [LeToya Luckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letoya-luckett/) > [“D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on grace could be lost in several ways. A church might simply become heterodox — losing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/d-martyn-lloyd-jones-taught-that-the-gospel-emphasis-on-grace-could/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Because I'll tell everything to you alone, because it's necessary, because you're necessary, because tomorrow I'll fall from the clouds, because tomorrow life will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/because-i-ll-tell-everything-to-you-alone-because-it-s-necessary/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [My dad was tough on me growing up so I got a strong mind, strong spirit. So my mom and my dad did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/my-dad-was-tough-on-me-growing-up-so-i-got-a-strong-mind-strong/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [The constant Human Interactions with strong spiritual energies can lead to miracles...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renu-singhal/the-constant-human-interactions-with-strong-spiritual-energies-can/) Renu Singhal > [“Those who are weak in spirit, desire to make others weaker. While the strong spirit, desire to empower others to be stronger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/those-who-are-weak-in-spirit-desire-to-make-others-weaker-while-the/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Looks like you’ve been busy,” he said as he set down the pail to survey the room. “You found water!” “There was a stream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/looks-like-you-ve-been-busy-he-said-as-he-set-down-the-pail-to-survey/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Trusted Black Magic Specialist in Mississauga – Restore Peace and Harmony in Your Life" In today's fast-paced world, negative energies and unexplained problems can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psychic-ravi/trusted-black-magic-specialist-in-mississauga-restore-peace-and/) Psychic Ravi > [I have a strong spiritual commitment, and I try to express that in my work. Salvation cannot be worked out in human terms. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-grossman/i-have-a-strong-spiritual-commitment-and-i-try-to-express-that-in-my/) [Richard Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-grossman/) ## More by Kathryn Erskine > [“You have to try even if it’s hard and you think you can never do it and you just want to scream and hide”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/you-have-to-try-even-if-it-s-hard-and-you-think-you-can-never-do-it/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [Ignore and ignorance share the same root.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/ignore-and-ignorance-share-the-same-root/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [Empathy isn't as hard as it sounds because people have a lot of the same feelings. And it helps to understand other people because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/empathy-isn-t-as-hard-as-it-sounds-because-people-have-a-lot-of-the/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [“He said sometimes hope is the only thing that keeps us going”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/he-said-sometimes-hope-is-the-only-thing-that-keeps-us-going/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [Books are not like people. Books are safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/books-are-not-like-people-books-are-safe/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [“Even though I didn't think I'd like empathy it kind of creeps up on you and makes you feel all warm and glowy inside.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/even-though-i-didn-t-think-i-d-like-empathy-it-kind-of-creeps-up-on/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [I know, I say, after he says, This is hard, for the third time. This is what happens when you have a TRM, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/i-know-i-say-after-he-says-this-is-hard-for-the-third-time-this-is/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [Sometimes I read the same books over and over and over. What's great about books is that the stuff inside doesn't change. People say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/sometimes-i-read-the-same-books-over-and-over-and-over-what-s-great/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [I don't think I'm going to like it at all. I think it's going to hurt. But after the hurt I think maybe something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/i-don-t-think-i-m-going-to-like-it-at-all-i-think-it-s-going-to-hurt/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [“I think about what Devon would say. You have to Work At It Dad. You have to try even if it's hard and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/i-think-about-what-devon-would-say-you-have-to-work-at-it-dad-you/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [“Haven’t you ever seen someone standing alone? I shrug. Just one. Why don’t you talk to that child? Because it’s me and Devon told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/haven-t-you-ever-seen-someone-standing-alone-i-shrug-just-one-why-don/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [I feel like Snow White because now I have a bunch of little dwarf friends who love me. I may not know how Scout's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/i-feel-like-snow-white-because-now-i-have-a-bunch-of-little-dwarf/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [Understanding people's difficulties and-just as crucial-helping people understand their own difficulties and teaching them concrete ways to help themselves will help them better deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/understanding-people-s-difficulties-and-just-as-crucial-helping/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [I don't like the word soon because you don't know when it's going to sneak up on you and turn into NOW. Or maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/i-don-t-like-the-word-soon-because-you-don-t-know-when-it-s-going-to/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [A movie is better than real life because in the movies only the bad guys die. Or you can pick the good movies where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/a-movie-is-better-than-real-life-because-in-the-movies-only-the-bad/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) [Explore all 16 Kathryn Erskine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) ## More Strong spirit quotes > [I have a strong spiritual commitment, and I try to express that in my work. Salvation cannot be worked out in human terms. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-grossman/i-have-a-strong-spiritual-commitment-and-i-try-to-express-that-in-my/) [Richard Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-grossman/) > [“Trusted Black Magic Specialist in Mississauga – Restore Peace and Harmony in Your Life" In today's fast-paced world, negative energies and unexplained problems can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psychic-ravi/trusted-black-magic-specialist-in-mississauga-restore-peace-and/) Psychic Ravi > [“Looks like you’ve been busy,” he said as he set down the pail to survey the room. “You found water!” “There was a stream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/looks-like-you-ve-been-busy-he-said-as-he-set-down-the-pail-to-survey/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Those who are weak in spirit, desire to make others weaker. While the strong spirit, desire to empower others to be stronger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/those-who-are-weak-in-spirit-desire-to-make-others-weaker-while-the/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The constant Human Interactions with strong spiritual energies can lead to miracles...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renu-singhal/the-constant-human-interactions-with-strong-spiritual-energies-can/) Renu Singhal > [My dad was tough on me growing up so I got a strong mind, strong spirit. So my mom and my dad did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/my-dad-was-tough-on-me-growing-up-so-i-got-a-strong-mind-strong/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [“Because I'll tell everything to you alone, because it's necessary, because you're necessary, because tomorrow I'll fall from the clouds, because tomorrow life will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/because-i-ll-tell-everything-to-you-alone-because-it-s-necessary/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [“D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on grace could be lost in several ways. A church might simply become heterodox — losing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/d-martyn-lloyd-jones-taught-that-the-gospel-emphasis-on-grace-could/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [I have a very strong spiritual base.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letoya-luckett/i-have-a-very-strong-spiritual-base/) [LeToya Luckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letoya-luckett/) > [Situations is only hard as you will let them be on yourself, I really believe in you that you're a strong spiritual and mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-berry-jr/situations-is-only-hard-as-you-will-let-them-be-on-yourself-i-really/) Michael Berry Jr > [Barna is correct when he writes, "After fifteen years of diligent digging into the world around me, I have reached several conclusions about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-stetzer/barna-is-correct-when-he-writes-after-fifteen-years-of-diligent/) [Ed Stetzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-stetzer/) > [True happiness means forging a strong spirit that is undefeated, no matter how trying our circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/true-happiness-means-forging-a-strong-spirit-that-is-undefeated-no/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [“Meditate on the Holy Scriptures, if you wish to be strong in spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/meditate-on-the-holy-scriptures-if-you-wish-to-be-strong-in-spirit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Our children are absorbing everything we do and say. Don’t just think about what you are feeding their bodies; consider what you are feeding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-keeley/our-children-are-absorbing-everything-we-do-and-say-don-t-just-think/) Hannah Keeley > [“No one but she had realized that the ballroom bore a rather startling resemblance to the gardens at Charise Dumont’s country house, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/no-one-but-she-had-realized-that-the-ballroom-bore-a-rather-startling/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Browse all 41 Strong spirit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-spirit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He can kick as hard as he wants but he cannot destroy what is inside. 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