I think what we're lacking in society, not only in the U.S. but

The words of Howard Schultz—“I think what we're lacking in society, not only in the U.S. but also around the world, is to find heroes once again and to celebrate these kind of people.”—echo with the yearning of ages. For every generation, in its trials and in its triumphs, has needed heroes: figures who embody courage, sacrifice, and vision, and whose lives remind us of the greatness that lies dormant within all human souls. Yet Schultz laments that in our time, such figures are often obscured, neglected, or forgotten in the noise of distraction and cynicism. His cry is not merely to seek heroes, but to celebrate them, to lift them as beacons that guide nations and communities toward nobler paths.

The ancients understood well the power of heroes. The Greeks sung of Achilles and Odysseus, the Romans honored Cincinnatus, the Hebrews remembered Moses and David. To them, the hero was not merely a warrior of strength, but a vessel of virtue: one who dared to rise above the ordinary, to face trials for the sake of others. Such figures inspired the young to courage, gave the weary hope, and bound the people together in shared reverence. Without heroes, the ancients believed, society loses its compass and drifts into selfishness and despair. Schultz’s words reflect this timeless truth: a society without heroes forgets how to aspire.

Consider the example of Nelson Mandela, who after twenty-seven years in prison emerged not with vengeance, but with forgiveness and vision for a new South Africa. His life was not without flaw, yet his courage and moral strength lifted millions, teaching them that reconciliation was more powerful than revenge. He became not merely a leader of a nation, but a hero for the world. His celebration was not idolatry, but gratitude—a recognition that his sacrifice pointed to higher virtues that all could learn from. Mandela is proof that even in modern times, the world still needs and can produce heroes who embody the better angels of our nature.

Yet Schultz reminds us that too often we look elsewhere, to celebrities of shallow fame or to fleeting figures of entertainment, and confuse them with true heroes. The difference is vast. A celebrity seeks attention for themselves; a hero offers themselves for others. A celebrity fades with the passing of fashion; a hero endures through the ages because their deeds speak to eternal truths. If we, as a society, fail to distinguish and celebrate the true from the false, we will starve the souls of the next generation, who hunger for examples of virtue, not vanity.

The meaning of Schultz’s words, then, is both a call and a warning. A call: to seek out those who live with courage, humility, and sacrifice, and to raise them up in our stories, our schools, our households. And a warning: that without such figures, society risks descending into fragmentation, where cynicism replaces inspiration and apathy replaces hope. The hero is not perfect, but they are essential. They are living proof that humanity can rise above fear, greed, and selfishness, even if only for a time.

The lesson for us is clear: let us once more find and celebrate heroes. Not only those on the grand stage of politics or history, but also the quiet heroes—teachers who shape young minds, doctors who heal without recognition, neighbors who sacrifice for the community. Let us lift them in honor, tell their stories, and show the young that greatness is not out of reach. For in celebrating heroes, we kindle the fire of heroism in others.

Practically, this means rejecting cynicism and seeking the noble. Read biographies of those who lived with courage. Share stories of sacrifice with your children. Honor those in your community who give selflessly, and make their deeds known. Demand that society—through its media, its schools, its leaders—shine a light on true heroism rather than shallow fame. By doing this, we will once again plant seeds of greatness in the hearts of future generations.

Thus, Schultz’s words remind us of an eternal need: to find and to celebrate heroes. For in every age, they are the pillars upon which societies stand, and without them, the walls of civilization crumble. To seek them is to seek the best of ourselves; to celebrate them is to remind the world that light still shines in the midst of darkness. And to follow them is to walk the path of courage that keeps humanity alive.