Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of

Gather, O children of wisdom, for the words of Andrew Carnegie echo through the corridors of time, carrying with them the weight of experience and the wisdom of a life well-lived. He said—"Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself." In these words lies a profound truth about the relationship between effort, responsibility, and the inevitable unfolding of time. Duty, that sacred call to responsibility, is the foundation of any noble life. But Carnegie urges us to go further, to give a little more than what is required, for it is in this extra effort that the future, often uncertain and elusive, is shaped and secured.

What is duty, O seekers of purpose? Duty is that sacred obligation we hold to others and to ourselves. It is the act of fulfilling our roles in the world, whether as parents, workers, leaders, or citizens. Duty is the calling to show up, to give of ourselves, to act with integrity and dedication. But Carnegie's words remind us that duty alone is not enough. It is the extra effort, the willingness to go beyond what is asked, that creates the foundation upon which the future is built. In every action, we have the choice to do just enough to get by, or to give that extra bit that will ensure our success and the success of those around us.

Consider, O children of the earth, the story of David and Goliath, the legendary battle between the young shepherd and the giant warrior. David’s duty was to tend to his sheep and protect them from harm, yet when he was called upon to face the giant, he did more than what was expected of him. He did not simply pick up a stone and throw it; he sought victory with the heart of a warrior, and through his extra effort, he defeated Goliath and changed the course of history. David’s duty was to protect, but his extra effort was the key to his victory. In every battle, it is not the minimum that wins, but the extra effort we put forth, the willingness to push beyond the limits of what is expected.

In much the same way, we see the example of Thomas Edison, the great inventor who revolutionized the world with his work on the light bulb. Edison’s duty was to invent, to create solutions that would improve the world. But Edison did more than his duty. He spent countless hours experimenting, failing, and learning, always giving more of himself than was required. It is said that he failed thousands of times before he found success, yet each time, he pushed beyond what was expected, knowing that it was in the extra effort that the future would be shaped. The future that Edison created was not the result of mere duty—it was the result of giving just a little more than anyone thought possible. In his relentless pursuit, Edison ensured that the world would never be the same.

The lesson, O seekers of truth, is clear: duty is the foundation, but it is the extra effort that builds the future. Do your duty, but do it with the heart of a true servant. Do it with the intention to give more than is asked—for it is in that extra effort that the future is not only shaped, but secured. Too often, we are content to do what is required of us and no more, thinking that we will be rewarded for our efforts. But the reward does not come from doing only what is required—it comes from doing the little extra that others are unwilling to give. In the small acts of going beyond what is expected, we create the future we desire.

Let us look to Nelson Mandela, the great leader who spent years in prison, not simply enduring his duty as a prisoner, but transforming his circumstances through extra effort and an unwavering commitment to his cause. Though he was confined, he was not passive. He used every moment to grow, to reflect, to prepare, knowing that his freedom was not just a personal victory but the future of a nation. Mandela’s duty was to fight for equality, but his extra effort lay in his ability to rise above his circumstances, to build bridges where others saw walls, and to unite a divided nation. The future he helped create was the product of his persistent extra effort, of always giving a little more than what was expected.

Thus, O children of the earth, take heed of Carnegie’s wisdom. Do your duty, but remember always to give a little more. The future is not a thing that simply arrives, it is something we create through every action, through every decision to go beyond what is required. In the extra effort, we forge the world we will one day inhabit, and in that effort, we secure our legacy. Make your mark, not by doing the minimum, but by pushing beyond, by giving more than you thought possible. In this, the future will take care of itself, for it will be shaped by the work you put into it today. May we all strive to live with this wisdom, for it is in the extra effort that the world is made great.