Quote 26: “If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is grass in the beginning.” - Vincent van Gogh
- Dr. ARUN V J
- May 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 2
The Illusion of "Proving" Your Worth in Today's World
We live in a world that demands receipts.
Did you get the promotion?
How many followers do you have?
What car do you drive?
We’re conditioned to believe that our worth is something we must earn—through achievements, validation, or material success. But what if that’s a lie? Vincent van Gogh, a man who died penniless and unknown, left us with a truth that shatters this illusion:
“If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is grass in the beginning.”
This isn’t just a quote—it’s a revolution. A declaration that your value isn’t something you build; it’s something you remember.
The Man Behind the Quote - Vincent van Gogh’s Unseen Brilliance
A Life of Rejection, Yet Unshaken Belief
Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime. Critics dismissed his work as “clumsy” and “ugly.” He battled depression, poverty, and loneliness. Yet, in letters to his brother Theo, he wrote with unwavering conviction about his art’s worth—even when no one else saw it.
Why Did He Say This?
Because he understood a fundamental truth:
Recognition doesn’t create value—it only reveals what was already there. A diamond buried in dirt is still a diamond. Wheat mistaken for grass is still wheat.
Van Gogh kept painting—not for fame, but because he believed in what he was creating. His worth wasn’t determined by the world’s applause; it was inherent in his vision.
The Deeper Meaning—Wheat Doesn’t Need Permission to Be Wheat
1. Your Worth Isn’t Conditional
Society teaches us:
You matter if… (you’re successful, attractive, wealthy).
But van Gogh’s quote flips this: You matternow, exactly as you are.*
2. The Danger of External Validation
We’ve been tricked into thinking:
If no one notices me, do I even exist?
But what happens when the likes stop? When the promotions don’t come? If your self-worth is tied to external approval, you’ll always be chasing—never being.
3. The Wheat vs. Grass Paradox
Many of history’s most influential people were once overlooked:
Socrates was ridiculed before being revered.
J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers.
Their worth didn’t change—only perception did.
Why This Matters Today—The Age of Fake Influencers & Manufactured Worth
The Social Media Mirage
We scroll through feeds of:
Perfect bodies.
Luxury vacations.
“Overnight success” stories.
And we think: Why isn’t my life like that? But what we’re seeing isn’t reality—it’s performance. Many “influencers” are selling an illusion, yet we let their highlight reels dictate our self-esteem.
The Real Question: Who Defines Your Worth?
Is it the algorithm?
The boss who overlooks you?
The follower count?
Van Gogh’s words remind us: You don’t need a blue checkmark to be valuable.
How to Live This Truth—Practical Steps to Own Your Worth
1. Separate Value from Valuation
Value = Your inherent worth (unchanging).
Valuation = The world’s ever-shifting opinion (unreliable).
Stop letting temporary metrics define your eternal worth.
2. The “Wheat Mindset”
Grow in silence. (Wheat doesn’t announce its growth.)
Trust your roots. (Even if no one waters you.)
Harvest in due time. (Recognition may come late—or never. It doesn’t matter.)
3. Shine Light on Others’ “Grass”
When you embrace your worth, you give others permission to do the same.
Compliment the quiet worker.
Celebrate the “small” wins.
Show people the beauty in their own journey.
4. Polish, Don’t Perform
Polish = Refining your skills, character, and purpose.
Perform = Seeking applause at the cost of authenticity.
Choose the first.
Philosophical Anchors—Timeless Wisdom on Self-Worth
1. Ikigai (Japanese Philosophy)
Your reason for being isn’t tied to productivity. It’s the intersection of:
What you love.
What the world needs.
What you can give without burning out.
2. The Parable of the Cracked Pot
A flawed pot leaks water, unknowingly watering flowers along its path. The “cracks” we hate in ourselves may be the very things that bring beauty to others.
3. Stoicism
Focus on what you control:
Your effort.
Your integrity.
Your perspective.
Let go of the rest.
Final Thought: You Are the Light—Let No One Dim You
Van Gogh’s wheat metaphor isn’t just about patience—it’s about defiance.
Defy the voices that say you must “prove” yourself.
Defy the culture that confuses worth with wealth.
Defy the fear that you’re not “enough.”
In a world that measures prestige by numbers and appearances, remember: your worth is not contingent on external validations or the fleeting opinions of others. Embrace it fully, and let the world see the radiant light you carry within.
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