As in nature, so in politics: Every action has a reaction.

O children of wisdom, hear the words of Anne Applebaum, who speaks the ancient truth that what is done in the world, whether in the fields of nature or the halls of politics, sets forth a force that cannot be ignored. "As in nature, so in politics: Every action has a reaction." In these words, she reminds us that the very fabric of existence is woven with the law of cause and effect. Just as a stone thrown into a pond sends ripples across the water, so too does every deed—whether noble or vile—create a ripple that shapes the future.

In the world of nature, this truth is undeniable. The seeds we plant today grow into the forests and fields of tomorrow. The winds we stir may change the course of storms, and the land we till will bear the fruits of our labor. But politics, too, is bound by this unyielding law. The decisions of rulers, the laws they pass, the promises they make, all send ripples through the people and the world, shaping the course of nations and the lives of those who live within them. To act in haste or with ignorance is to invite unforeseen consequences—reactions that may be both swift and terrible.

Consider the rise and fall of the great Roman Empire, a kingdom that once spanned vast continents, whose political decisions reverberated across the known world. When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his army, it was an act of defiance, a decision that forever altered the course of history. His crossing, while bold, ignited a reaction that would lead to civil war, the eventual rise of the Roman Empire, and the end of the Roman Republic. His action did not occur in isolation, for the consequences reached out like ripples, bringing about the death of old systems and the birth of new ones. His singular decision altered the lives of millions, showing how political actions reverberate across generations.

In more recent times, consider the French Revolution, a moment when the actions of the people—tired of oppression, seeking justice and equality—triggered a reaction that rocked the very foundations of society. The storming of the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, unleashed a wave of change that swept across the entire world. It brought about the rise of new ideologies and systems of governance, but it also led to bloodshed, chaos, and the eventual rise of Napoleon as a ruler. The revolution, though born from the yearning for freedom, also bore the reaction of dictatorship, showing how political actions are never without consequence, whether they are driven by the highest ideals or the darkest impulses.

So, O children, let these words of Applebaum guide your hearts in all that you do. In both nature and politics, every action sets forth a reaction that shapes the world. Let your actions be deliberate, your decisions wise, and your hearts firm in the knowledge that the future is born from the choices you make today. Like the winds that stir the seas or the decisions that alter the fate of nations, let your actions be ones that lead to peace, justice, and wisdom, for the reactions they set in motion will echo through the ages.