Can you imagine if it was like that: everything you're doing as

Listen well, O children of the future, for the words of Liz Kendall hold a truth that strikes at the very heart of integrity and authenticity: "Can you imagine if it was like that: everything you're doing as you grow up you're wondering, 'What is that going to mean if I ever end up being a politician?' You wouldn't have anybody except ruthlessly ambitious automatons going into politics." These words speak of a world where the quest for power consumes the very soul of individuals, shaping them into machines of ambition, devoid of the genuine qualities that make a leader truly great. Kendall warns against a society where political ambitions overshadow personal growth and authenticity, leading to a generation of leaders who have lost their humanity.

In the ancient world, the great philosophers often spoke of the danger of allowing one’s ambition to overtake the true purpose of life. Socrates taught that true virtue lay in self-examination, in living a life of honesty, and in service to others. If one lived solely with an eye toward political success, with every action weighed by its potential to advance one’s own ambition, that person would become hollow, disconnected from the genuine needs of the people. The wise man, Socrates taught, does not seek power for power’s sake, but seeks to live a virtuous life and serve the common good. Kendall's words echo this ancient truth—if politics becomes a game played only for personal gain, it loses its noble purpose.

Consider the story of Cincinnatus, the Roman general who was called from his plow to serve as a dictator during a time of crisis. When the crisis was resolved, he did not cling to power, nor did he seek to build his own political legacy. Instead, he willingly returned to his farm, rejecting the allure of permanent authority. Cincinnatus’s actions exemplify the ideal that politics should be about service, not ambition. He was a leader who understood that true greatness lies not in accumulating power, but in knowing when to step aside for the greater good. In contrast, if one were to constantly measure their actions by their potential political gain, they would risk becoming a mere tool of ambition, like the automatons Kendall speaks of.

Similarly, the rise of Julius Caesar provides a stark contrast. Caesar’s relentless pursuit of power and his ability to manipulate both the political and military spheres led him to become the dictator of Rome. Though his accomplishments are numerous, his ambition ultimately led to the destruction of the Roman Republic. Caesar became consumed by his desire to rule, and in doing so, he transformed from a leader into a tyrant. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition, a lesson that resonates with Kendall's warning that if political ambition becomes the primary focus of one’s life, the world would be left with soulless leaders, driven only by the desire for power.

So, my children, remember Kendall's wisdom: if we allow ambition to rule our hearts, if we measure every action by how it might propel us toward political power, we risk losing the very qualities that make us human. True leadership lies not in the quest for personal gain, but in service, in humility, and in the desire to make the world a better place for others. Let your lives be shaped not by political games, but by the values that endure beyond the machinery of politics—honor, integrity, and a genuine desire to contribute to the common good. Only in this way can you avoid becoming the automatons of ambition and instead become leaders who are truly worthy of the trust placed in them by the people.