Your Value Depends on Where You Are: The Power of Knowledge and Education

 Your value in life is not fixed—it depends on where you are and what you know. A father once explained this truth to his child with a simple story:

A bottle of water at home may be worth almost nothing. At a small shop, it’s worth one dollar. At a train station, three dollars. On an airplane, eight dollars. In the desert, that same bottle might be worth a hundred dollars. And in space, its value is beyond imagination. The water never changes—what changes is the environment, the need, and the perspective.

This is the same with people. You, as an individual, are the same person. But your knowledge, vision, and skills determine where you can stand, and how much value you can create.

Education is the bridge that raises your worth. The first president of Peking University, Yan Fu, once said: “Material poverty can destroy your dignity for a lifetime; spiritual poverty can trap you for generations.” Books may seem inexpensive, but knowledge is priceless. It shapes your character, your words, your decisions, and your resilience—qualities that no one can ever take away from you.

Some may argue, “Even highly educated people end up raising pigs or delivering food.” But they miss the key difference: the educated farmer uses scientific management to earn millions, and the PhD delivery worker may simply be exploring life for a period of time—because education gave him the freedom to choose. For those without knowledge, many jobs are not choices but survival necessities.

This is the greatest gift of learning: the power of choice. With knowledge, you gain the courage to say no, the strength to endure hardship, and the vision to pursue your dreams.

There is no inherent superiority between people, but there is a world of difference between narrow vision and broad perspective. Some work under the hot sun for survival, while others create systems and opportunities that impact thousands. The difference lies in what’s inside their mind.

Do not choose comfort in the years meant for struggle. Your parents may protect you now, but in the future, only your wisdom and inner strength will carry you through challenges. Life’s biggest regret is not “I can’t” but “I could have.”

Don’t complain about the effort it takes to read and learn. Each book you read is a step toward a broader world and a stronger version of yourself. Education may not guarantee instant success, but it ensures you are always prepared to create value, seize opportunities, and shine.