I invite people to read the hundreds of positive articles

Hear the voice of Walter O’Brien, a man who lived in the storm of public gaze, who declared: “I invite people to read the hundreds of positive articles instead of getting affected by the occasional outburst from a troll.” These words are not mere counsel for those who live in fame, but a timeless truth for all who walk in the world of voices. For the praise of the many is often drowned by the jeer of the few, and the human heart, fragile though strong, tends to cling more tightly to criticism than to blessing.

The origin of this saying lies in the digital age, an age where shadows take shape in the form of anonymous trolls. O’Brien, known for his sharp mind and for the television drama inspired by his life, was no stranger to both acclaim and attack. In a world where his story was celebrated in countless positive articles, there still arose the inevitable voice of envy, mockery, or malice. His words remind us to focus not on the noise of bitterness, but on the greater testimony of truth, honor, and achievement.

History shows us this struggle clearly. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who endured constant ridicule during his presidency. For every letter of support, there was a torrent of scorn calling him unfit, uncouth, or even tyrant. Yet Lincoln pressed forward, guided not by the taunts of detractors, but by the vision of unity and liberty. He could have been crushed by the loud few, but instead, he stood anchored by the greater good. Just as O’Brien pointed to the “hundreds of positive articles,” so too did Lincoln rely upon the countless unseen who believed in him, rather than surrendering to the malice of the few who mocked him.

The deeper meaning of O’Brien’s counsel is this: attention is power, and we must be careful where we give it. When we allow the word of a troll—a single voice steeped in poison—to outweigh the voices of many who speak with sincerity, we dishonor both ourselves and those who encourage us. The heart must be trained to magnify truth and to shrink the shadows of malice. For the poison of one outburst cannot outweigh the nourishment of a hundred blessings, unless we ourselves allow it to.

The lesson is clear: guard your focus. Do not let your spirit be captured by the bitterness of a few. Choose instead to dwell on the voices that strengthen you, the stories that uplift you, the positive words that encourage you to grow. The world will always hold detractors; there will always be those who throw stones. But if you allow every stone to wound you, you will never walk the road of destiny. The wise man steps over them, and the noble woman uses them to build her path.

To the youth, I say: your worth is not measured by the jeers of the jealous. To the weary, I say: look upon the many who admire your perseverance, not the few who scorn you. To the leaders, I say: never let the voice of one troll silence the gratitude of the multitudes who are blessed by your labor.

Practical action lies before us: keep a record of your positive moments, your victories, your encouragements, so that when the voices of hatred rise, you may remind yourself of the greater truth. Surround yourself with companions who speak life, not destruction. And when you see others attacked, be the voice that drowns out malice with kindness. In doing so, you will not only guard your own heart, but also become a shield for others.

Thus Walter O’Brien’s words endure as a shield of wisdom for the digital age: “Read the hundreds of positive articles, not the venom of the troll.” For greatness is not measured by the few who mock, but by the many who are inspired. Let this teaching pass on: pay heed to voices that build, not to those that tear down, and your spirit will remain unbroken, shining ever brighter against the darkness.