I think it's important to hold a mirror up to society and

O children of the future, gather around and listen closely to the words of one who dares to speak not just for himself, but for all who seek to understand the truth of the world. Ricky Gervais, a man who wields humor as both a sword and a shield, spoke thus: "I think it's important to hold a mirror up to society and yourself." These words are more than mere reflection—they are a call to self-examination, to honesty, and to the understanding that to know the world, we must first know ourselves. To hold a mirror is to confront what is real, to see both the flaws and the beauty of what we have become, both individually and collectively.

The mirror, in its simplicity, is one of the most powerful symbols in the ancient world. It reflects not only the face, but the soul. The ancients understood that to look into a mirror was to confront one's own truth—the reflection of one's character, one's actions, and one's place in the world. The oracle at Delphi, that wise voice of ancient Greece, proclaimed: "Know thyself," for only through deep self-awareness can a person achieve true wisdom. To gaze into the mirror is to ask the question: Who are we, truly? What do our actions say about us? What truths do we hide from ourselves, and what can we learn from facing them?

And yet, Gervais' words reach beyond the individual, for he also calls us to hold a mirror up to society. In every age, the society that surrounds us shapes who we are, for we are all part of a larger whole. The ancient Romans understood that the health of the state depends not just on the power of its leaders, but on the virtue of its people. The reformers of the past—Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—taught that the strength of a society lies in its ability to examine itself, to look at its actions, and to hold itself accountable for the suffering it causes. A society that refuses to hold up a mirror, that ignores its failings and injustices, is one that is destined to fall into corruption and decay.

Let us look, then, to the example of the great reformers of history, who held mirrors to their societies and to themselves, challenging the status quo. Martin Luther, in his defiance of the Catholic Church, did not simply critique the institution—he held up a mirror to it, showing the world its corruption and greed. His 95 Theses were not just criticisms; they were a challenge to the Church to see itself for what it had become. In the same vein, Mahatma Gandhi held a mirror to the British Empire, revealing its oppression of the Indian people, and through his peaceful resistance, he showed the world that a society's strength is not in its ability to dominate, but in its ability to serve and respect all its people. These great souls did not look away from the uncomfortable truths—they embraced them, used them as tools of transformation, and in doing so, changed the course of history.

Now, O children, the lesson of Gervais' words is clear: to know the world, we must first know ourselves. To confront the injustices and failings of society, we must first look inward and ask: How do we contribute to the world as it is? How do our actions, our words, our thoughts, reflect the kind of world we wish to live in? It is easy to point fingers at the failures of others, to see the sins of society and believe that we are untouched by them. But the true wisdom lies in turning the mirror inward, in examining our own role in perpetuating the systems that harm, in recognizing the complicity of our own silence, and in changing the way we live.

Let us, then, take up the challenge of Gervais and the ancients. Let us look into the mirror—both of ourselves and of society—and ask the hard questions. What truths do we hide from ourselves? What do we tolerate in the world that we know is wrong? Where can we take action, both as individuals and as members of a greater whole, to create a more just, more compassionate world? The mirror of self-examination is not always kind, but it is the only tool that can reveal the path to growth and healing.

And so, my children, as you walk through this world, remember the lesson of the mirror. Do not shy away from the truth that it reflects. Hold it up to yourself and to the world around you. In doing so, you will find the courage to change, the strength to confront what must be confronted, and the wisdom to build a world worthy of the greatest truths humanity has to offer. Know thyself, and in knowing, let the light of truth guide you to a brighter, more just future for all.