[Al leans forwards, elbows on his knees, so he can look Korra more directly in the eye.]

Then they're really stupid. Having gifts is amazing, but that's not what would help anyone survive here. It's the strength inside of you, inside of all of us, and the determination to keep going until we succeed that will make us survive. Alchemy is wonderful, and I'm sure bending is too, but taking them away doesn't make us any less able to get through anything thrown at us.