---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our greatest strength comes not from what…"
description: "\"Our greatest strength comes not from what we possess, but from what we believe; not from what we have, but from who we are.\" — Michael Dukakis"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg"
---

#  Our greatest strength comes not from what we possess, but…

![“Our greatest strength comes not from what we possess, but from what we believe; not from what we have, but from who we are.” quote by Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg)

> “Our greatest strength comes not from what we possess, but from what we believe; not from what we have, but from who we are.”

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Strength derives from values and identity, not material assets or status.

**In simple terms:** True power is belief and character, not possessions.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate inner conviction and self‑knowledge.

Themes

values identity inner strength materialism self‑worth

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- leadership
- personal development
- team building
- adversity coping

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- What core belief defines you?
- How do you nurture identity beyond possessions?

A Different Perspective

Material success cannot replace deep self‑belief.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Greatest strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-strength/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/)

## Related quotes

> [It is true that after they have been reassured and have lost this fear, they are so artless and so free with all they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/it-is-true-that-after-they-have-been-reassured-and-have-lost-this/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [Through pain comes strength and through strength comes joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/through-pain-comes-strength-and-through-strength-comes-joy/)

[Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/)

> [And so I have come to understand that strength, inner strength, comes from receiving love as much as it comes from giving it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/and-so-i-have-come-to-understand-that-strength-inner-strength-comes/)

[Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/)

> [You can always take the easy way out and give up, but real strength comes when you decide to keep pushing forward no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-rose/you-can-always-take-the-easy-way-out-and-give-up-but-real-strength/)

[Whitney Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-rose/)

> [America's greatest strength, and its greatest weakness, is our belief in second chances, our belief that we can always start over, that things can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-walton/america-s-greatest-strength-and-its-greatest-weakness-is-our-belief/)

Anthony Walton

> [I think our big tent is our greatest strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/i-think-our-big-tent-is-our-greatest-strength/)

[Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/)

> [“My greatest strength is an unfocused mind. This is because while you are all thinking of one idea, I’m thinking of five different ideas.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mitchell/my-greatest-strength-is-an-unfocused-mind-this-is-because-while-you/)

[Ben Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mitchell/)

> [“Your Real Strength comes from being the best You can be”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kungfu-panda/your-real-strength-comes-from-being-the-best-you-can-be/)

KungFu Panda

> [I have this strength that comes from knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hill/i-have-this-strength-that-comes-from-knowledge/)

[Faith Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hill/)

> [Strength doesn't come from success. Strength comes from struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/strength-doesn-t-come-from-success-strength-comes-from-struggle/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [You must be strong, dear brothers and sisters. You must be strong with the strength that comes from faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/you-must-be-strong-dear-brothers-and-sisters-you-must-be-strong-with/)

[Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/)

> [In trans women's eyes, I see a wisdom that can only come from having to fight for your right to be recognized as female,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-serano/in-trans-women-s-eyes-i-see-a-wisdom-that-can-only-come-from-having/)

[Julia Serano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-serano/)

> [Strength comes from every hurdle we have to jump, every corner we have to turn &amp; every obstacle that stands in our way... We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/strength-comes-from-every-hurdle-we-have-to-jump-every-corner-we-have/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [To bear all kinds of tortures without a murmur of resentment is not possible for a human being without the strength that comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/to-bear-all-kinds-of-tortures-without-a-murmur-of-resentment-is-not/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [Strength comes from confidence and courage not to give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/strength-comes-from-confidence-and-courage-not-to-give-up/)

[Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/)

## More by Michael Dukakis

> [The students at Gallaudet University deserve our congratulations. They educated the nation about deafness, and won a long overdue victory for all disabled people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/the-students-at-gallaudet-university-deserve-our-congratulations-they/)

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

> [Yes, I'm proud to be a liberal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/yes-i-m-proud-to-be-a-liberal/)

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

> [Like a good general, I treated everyone who wasnt with me as against me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/like-a-good-general-i-treated-everyone-who-wasnt-with-me-as-against-me/)

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

> [Like a good general, I treated everyone who wasn't with me as against me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/like-a-good-general-i-treated-everyone-who-wasn-t-with-me-as-against/)

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

> [I do not believe in people owning guns. Guns should be owned only by the police and military. I am going to do everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/i-do-not-believe-in-people-owning-guns-guns-should-be-owned-only-by/)

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

> [What do you do if youre in a room with Muammar Qaddafi, Saddam Hussein, and John Sununu, and you have a gun with only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/what-do-you-do-if-youre-in-a-room-with-muammar-qaddafi-saddam-hussein/)

[Michael Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

[Explore all 7 Michael Dukakis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/)

## More Believe quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/)

[Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/)

> [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/)

[Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

> [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/)

[Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/)

> [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/)

[Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/)

> [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/)

[Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/)

Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Our greatest strength comes not from what we possess, but from what we believe; not from what we have, but from who we are.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Dukakis"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-what-we-possess-but-from-what-we/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Believe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-what-we-possess-but-from-what-we/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/michael-dukakis-53155_believe_our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-wha_3042260.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Our greatest strength comes not from what we possess, but from what we believe; not from what we have, but…” — Michael Dukakis",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Michael Dukakis",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dukakis/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Our greatest strength comes not from...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-what-we-possess-but-from-what-we/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dukakis/our-greatest-strength-comes-not-from-what-we-possess-but-from-what-we/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
