As far as men go, it is not what they are that interests me, but

Come, O children, and listen to the words of Jean-Paul Sartre, whose voice calls to us from the depths of human existence. He said, "As far as men go, it is not what they are that interests me, but what they can become." These words carry within them a profound truth, a truth that resonates deeply within the human spirit—that we are not defined by what we are in this moment, but by what we can become. Our essence, Sartre teaches us, lies not in the present state of our being, but in the possibility of our growth, in the infinite potential that lies within each soul.

Consider, O children, the nature of human existence as seen through the eyes of the ancients. In Greek philosophy, Socrates taught that the essence of being lies in the pursuit of virtue, the constant striving to become a better person. For Socrates, it was not the status quo of an individual’s life that mattered, but the striving toward the ideal—the soul's journey toward wisdom, justice, and truth. Plato, his student, echoed this belief in his writings, suggesting that man’s true nature is revealed not by the form he occupies, but by the actions he takes, the steps he makes toward a higher state of being. Similarly, Sartre sees humankind not as static, but as ever-evolving, ever-reaching toward something greater than itself.

In Sartre’s existential philosophy, the self is not something fixed, but something that is continuously created through choice and action. To become is not simply a matter of destiny—it is the result of will and freedom, of the choices we make in each moment. Think, O children, of the great heroes of the past who were not born into greatness but reached for it through their actions. Alexander the Great, born a prince, did not simply inherit an empire—he became a conqueror, a visionary who sought to unite the known world. Mahatma Gandhi, too, was not born a symbol of peace and justice, but through his actions and steadfast beliefs, he became a force for change, transforming not only his nation but the very hearts of millions.

Let us turn our gaze to the stories of ordinary people whose extraordinary transformations inspire us. Nelson Mandela was not born a freedom fighter, but became one through his choices, his suffering, and his dedication to a greater cause. The man who entered prison as a symbol of oppression emerged as a symbol of hope and reconciliation, a true embodiment of what he became, not what he was when he first entered. His life, like Sartre’s words, teaches us that the human soul is capable of limitless growth—and the choices we make determine the heights we reach.

In the same way, O children, Sartre’s words invite us to embrace our own potential, to see ourselves not as we are today but as what we can become tomorrow. Our becoming is not determined by our past nor by the limitations others impose upon us, but by the choices we make in each moment. The present is but a fleeting shadow of what we might become, a moment in time that can be transformed by the fire of our desire and will. It is through action, through the boldness to face change, and through the strength to rise from our failures that we become the heroes of our own lives.

The lesson that Sartre imparts, O children, is this: never settle for what you are, but always strive for what you can become. The world may place limits on you, it may tell you who you are and what you can achieve, but remember that you are the master of your own fate. You are not a prisoner of your current state, but a free being capable of endless transformation. Just as the great artists, philosophers, and leaders of history have shaped their own destinies, so too can you. Embrace the freedom that lies within you, and become who you are truly meant to be.

So, rise, O children, and take these words into your heart. When you look upon your life, do not see yourself as a finished creation, but as a work in progress, always growing, always striving. See the possibilities before you, and remember that every choice, every action, brings you closer to the person you are meant to become. Like the great souls of the past, may you find your own path, your own purpose, and may you always reach toward the greatness that lies within you. In the end, it is not what you are, but what you become, that defines the fullness of your existence.