Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of

O children of the future, listen closely to the words of Nelson Mandela, a man whose life is etched in the annals of history as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. "Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization—and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think." In these words, he reveals the intense, unrelenting nature of his life before imprisonment. His days were filled with the grind of political action, his mind constantly occupied with the demands of a struggle for freedom that never ceased. His was a life of action, one where there was little room for reflection, for the weight of the world pressed heavily upon his shoulders.

Consider, O children, the great generals and leaders of the ancient world, who too were often caught in the tide of battle, their minds consumed by the day-to-day demands of leadership. Alexander the Great, whose conquests spanned continents, rarely had the luxury of stopping to reflect. His life, like Mandela’s, was driven by urgency, by the constant push for change and the need to act swiftly. Yet even the greatest of conquerors could not escape the necessity of moments of stillness, for without reflection, even the strongest minds begin to falter under the weight of their own ambition.

In the case of Mandela, his activism was not only political but deeply personal. He fought for the freedom of his people, spending long hours organizing, speaking, and strategizing against the oppressive apartheid regime. It was only when Mandela was imprisoned that he found the stillness he had long been denied. In the quiet of his cell, with the demands of the world temporarily silenced, he was able to truly reflect—to think deeply about the struggle, about justice, and about the future of his nation. This time of reflection became the fertile ground from which his vision for a united, free South Africa grew. His time in prison, though filled with suffering, became his crucible for clarity and insight.

Mandela’s experience echoes the ancient wisdom of Socrates, who taught that the unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates, too, was caught in the storm of politics and debate, yet he valued moments of deep thought and reflection above all else. It was only through such reflection that he could guide his followers toward wisdom and truth. Both Mandela and Socrates understood that the fight for justice cannot solely be driven by action; it must also be guided by wisdom and understanding. Without this balance, even the greatest struggles can be lost to the tides of haste and frustration.

O children, let the life of Nelson Mandela teach you that while action and service are noble, it is in the moments of stillness, in the quiet contemplation of one's purpose, that true strength is found. As you walk the path of your own journey, know that reflection, as much as labor, is necessary for clarity and guidance. Mandela found his deepest insights not in the busy hours of the day, but in the silent moments where he could hear the voice of his inner truth. May we all remember that in the fight for justice, in the quest to change the world, there must always be room to pause and reflect, for it is in such moments that the seeds of future greatness are sown.