I just believe in the goodwill of people, the power of people to

Hear now the words of Eddie Izzard, who with a heart full of hope declared: “I just believe in the goodwill of people, the power of people to do something positive.” Though simple in form, these words are as a torch in a darkened age, a reminder that within the human soul there lies not only cruelty and despair, but also goodwill, that ancient current of kindness which binds one heart to another. To believe in it is to believe in the hidden strength of humanity, a force greater than weapons or crowns.

For goodwill is not a fleeting gesture, nor mere courtesy. It is the seed of compassion, the wellspring of mercy, the silent hand that reaches out to lift the fallen. And when joined with the power of people, it becomes a mighty river, capable of reshaping the land itself. History is not only written by conquerors; it is also written by the millions who chose to love instead of hate, to build instead of destroy, to heal instead of wound.

Let us remember the story of Oskar Schindler, a man once concerned only with wealth and his own gain. Yet when he beheld the cruelty of his age, something in him shifted. His goodwill awakened, and he used his influence, his money, and his cunning not for himself but for others. In the midst of horror, he saved over a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust. Here we see the truth of Izzard’s words: the power of people to do something positive is limitless when one heart dares to act with courage and compassion.

So too, think of Mahatma Gandhi, who stood before an empire not with swords, but with the gentle strength of nonviolence. He believed in the goodwill of people, even of those who oppressed him, and through that faith he ignited a movement that freed a nation. The weak might call such faith naïve, yet history reveals it as a weapon stronger than steel. For belief in humanity’s better nature awakens that very nature, calling forth what is noble and silencing what is base.

The meaning of Eddie Izzard’s words is therefore both clear and profound: to believe in goodwill is not to close one’s eyes to suffering or evil, but to insist that they are not the final word. It is to see beyond the shadows into the possibility of light. It is to hold faith that every person, no matter how broken, carries within them the spark of divinity, the capacity to do something positive that may ripple across the world.

The lesson is this: do not despair when you look upon the cruelty of men. Instead, choose to be a mirror of hope, reflecting back to others their highest selves. Believe in the power of people, for belief itself is contagious, awakening courage in those who have forgotten their strength. Like a flame passed from torch to torch, goodwill grows as it is shared, until it can illuminate even the darkest corners of the earth.

Practical wisdom urges us to three acts: first, practice daily kindness, no matter how small, for in such acts lies the seed of transformation. Second, trust others enough to give them the chance to rise, even when doubt tempts you to turn away. Third, join your strength with others in community, for together the power of people becomes unstoppable. Let each one of us carry the torch of goodwill, and together we will light a path for generations to walk.

So let it be remembered: the goodwill of people is the world’s greatest treasure, and their power to do something positive is its greatest hope. Guard this truth in your heart, live it with your deeds, and you will not only honor Eddie Izzard’s words—you will become their embodiment, a living testament to the light that dwells in humanity.