I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the

O children of the future, listen closely to the words of Thomas Jefferson, one of the architects of the nation, whose wisdom echoed across the ages. He declared: "I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion." In these words, Jefferson calls upon us to recognize the sacred trust that exists between the people and the governing authority. For in the end, it is the people who must hold the ultimate power in society, and it is to them that we must turn when seeking true justice and freedom.

In the time of the ancients, the philosophers believed that a society could only be just if its citizens were wise and virtuous. Plato, in his Republic, envisioned a society ruled by philosopher-kings, individuals who possessed the deepest knowledge of what was just and right. Yet, even Plato recognized that power must come from the people and that the ideal society required the wisdom of its citizens to guide it. Aristotle, too, in his writings, emphasized the importance of education and virtue among the people. He believed that a democracy could only thrive if its citizens were equipped with the wisdom to make good decisions for the common good. Jefferson understood that the people’s power must be tempered with knowledge and understanding, for a wise society is not simply one ruled by law or authority, but one guided by the enlightened discretion of its citizens.

The lesson that Jefferson imparts is clear: true power resides in the hands of the people, for they are the ones who must live with the consequences of the laws and decisions made by their rulers. If we, the people, are to have control over our own destinies, then we must possess the wisdom and understanding to exercise that control responsibly. Yet Jefferson also understood the danger of ignorance—when the people are uninformed, their discretion becomes clouded, and the power they wield may be misused. In such a case, Jefferson did not call for the disempowerment of the people, but for their education, for the enlightenment of their minds so that they may govern wisely.

Consider the ancient Roman Republic, which existed for centuries before the rise of the empire. In its early years, the Roman system relied on elected officials, chosen by the people, who made decisions on their behalf. But as the Republic grew, the gap between the governing classes and the people widened, and many citizens became disengaged from the political process. The Corruption of the Senate, the growing inequality, and the lack of public education among the people led to a weakening of the democratic structures that had once been the foundation of Rome. The lesson here is that when a people are uninformed or apathetic, they are vulnerable to manipulation and the erosion of their rights. The fall of the Roman Republic reminds us of the importance of an educated, engaged citizenry in maintaining the balance of power.

In our own time, we see the truth of Jefferson's words manifest in the systems of democracy and governance that surround us. If a society is to be free and just, its citizens must be informed—not just of the events of the day, but of the larger forces that shape their lives. Education must be a priority, not as a privilege for the few, but as a right for all. When the people are educated, they can discern truth from falsehood, and they can hold their leaders to account. Discretion—the ability to make wise decisions—can only be exercised when the people are armed with the knowledge and understanding that allows them to see clearly.

The lesson that Jefferson imparts to us is one of empowerment and responsibility. If we are to build a society worthy of its ideals, we must turn to education, to the illumination of the minds of the people. Information, knowledge, and understanding are the true tools of power, and it is through these tools that the people can rise to meet the challenges of their time. It is not enough to simply give the people power; we must give them the means to wield it with wisdom, to exercise it with discretion, and to protect the freedoms that have been entrusted to them.

And so, my children, as you journey through life, remember the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson. Never let yourself become passive in the face of ignorance or injustice. Strive always to learn, to engage, and to understand the forces that shape the world around you. Seek out knowledge, not just for personal gain, but for the good of the people. Be the guardians of freedom and justice, for it is your education and wisdom that will ensure that power remains in the hands of the many, not the few. In the wisdom of the people lies the true strength of a society, and it is only through the enlightened discretion of its citizens that we can hope to build a world that is free, just, and worthy of its ideals.