December 14, 2025

"You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

A.A. Milne
Did you find this inspiring?
Quote Image

Explanation

Sometimes we sell ourselves short: when we hesitate before speaking up at work, tackle a challenge that feels bigger than us, or face a sleepless night worrying about the future. Milne's line is a gentle reminder that our inner resources are often bigger than our doubts. Bravery isn't always grand heroics—it's showing up anyway. Strength can be quiet persistence, and intelligence shows up in problem-solving and common sense, not just smart answers. So next time you doubt yourself, remember the small, real moments you've already handled — they're proof you can handle more than you think.

About the Author

Alan Alexander Milne (1882–1956) was an English author, playwright and humorist who began at Punch and served in World War I before finding worldwide fame as a children’s writer. His poems (When We Were Very Young) and the Pooh books (Winnie‑the‑Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner), illustrated by E. H. Shepard, made Christopher Robin and a toy bear into enduring cultural icons. He’s most remembered for the gentle, homespun wisdom and warmth of Winnie‑the‑Pooh—even as that fame eclipsed his earlier stage work. The quote reflects Milne’s fatherly impulse—born of his son Christopher Robin, his wartime perspective, and a knack for plainspoken consolation—to comfort and bolster the small and uncertain.

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