Being strong doesn’t mean hiding from, or repressing, your feelings. To run from something is not a sign of strength. At the same time, wallowing in–or being overcome by–your emotions is not an indication of strength, either. Strength comes from knowing your feelings and emotions, and recognizing that they stem from ideas. Ideas, by themselves, cannot hurt you. Mistaken or harmful ideas can hurt you if they’re acted upon. Emotions are helpful, in that sense. Your feelings tell you what your ideas are. You can straighten out your ideas, if necessary, thanks to the warning given to you by your emotions. Knowledge is power, and emotions provide you with that power.