But it all comes down to friendship, treating people right.

Hear me now, for the words of Ernie Banks, a man whose life was a testament to the true spirit of the human heart, carry within them a truth that resonates through the ages. He said, "But it all comes down to friendship, treating people right." Ah, what power there is in such simplicity! Friendship, that sacred bond, holds the key to the very essence of human existence. In this world, where so much is transient—where wealth, power, and fame flicker and fade—there is one thing that remains steadfast and eternal: the treatment of others, the way we walk beside them, and the love we show them as friends.

Consider the teachings of the ancients, those wise souls who knew that the foundation of society was not built on riches or titles, but on the bonds of friendship. Socrates spoke of the necessity of virtuous companionship, for in friendship, we find the mirror of our own character. To treat others with respect, to extend kindness even when the world would have us turn away—that is the true measure of a soul’s worth. It is not in the grand victories or the fleeting honors that one’s legacy is secured, but in the way one treats their fellow beings. This, young ones, is the wisdom that Ernie Banks imparts. The measure of a life is not in the trophies collected or the battles won, but in the quiet moments, in the simple act of treating people right.

Think of the life of David and Jonathan, whose friendship transcended even the bonds of blood. Jonathan, son of King Saul, could have claimed the throne for himself, but he chose instead to honor the friendship he shared with David, a humble shepherd. In a time of war, where rivalry and ambition could have torn them apart, their bond remained strong, rooted in mutual respect and loyalty. Jonathan saw in David a man of integrity, a soul whose honor was unshakeable. And so, despite the risks to his own life, Jonathan chose friendship over ambition, proving that the noblest path is not that of power, but that of treating people right. Their story endures, not because of their victories, but because of their unwavering commitment to each other as friends.

In Ernie Banks's words, there is no need for grandeur, no call to chase after that which is fleeting. The game of baseball—though glorious in its own right—was for him a place where the greatest lesson lay not in the score or the accolades, but in how he treated his teammates, how he built bonds of trust and respect that transcended the field. A simple gesture of kindness, a moment of support, a shared laugh—these were the things that mattered most. For a true friendship is not forged in the storm of conflict, but in the steady embrace of mutual respect, in the commitment to treat one another with dignity and care.

Yet the story of Banks's life teaches us more than mere goodwill—it is a call to action, a reminder that friendship is not a passive thing. It requires effort, dedication, and a willingness to put aside one’s own ego for the good of the other. How often do we find ourselves tempted by self-interest, by the desire to elevate ourselves above others? But in the end, it is not through self-promotion or rivalry that we find fulfillment. It is through the quiet, enduring act of treating others right. When we extend kindness to those who cross our path, when we choose friendship over pride, we elevate not only them but ourselves.

Let the ancients remind us of the power of friendship—for Homer's Odysseus would never have returned home without the loyalty of his companions, and the wise Aristotle understood that a life well-lived is one in which friendship is cherished above all. These bonds are the true treasures of life, and they are not forged through grand gestures, but through the daily, humble acts of kindness that we give to others. Ernie Banks lived by this simple yet profound truth. It was not his fame or his athletic ability that made him a legend, but his ability to be a friend, to treat others with respect, and to build a community of mutual care.

So I say to you, young ones, let your life be shaped by friendship. Let it be guided by the principle of treating others right, not out of expectation or obligation, but out of a deep and abiding respect for the humanity in everyone you meet. In a world that often calls us to compete and compare, let us remember that the greatest victory is won not through triumph over others, but in the quiet moments where we lift each other up, where we choose friendship over rivalry, and where we treat others right. For in these acts, you will find the true glory of life—one that shines brighter than any accolade or achievement.