If you ask the Polish people, I believe that a vast majority of

The words of Andrzej Duda resound like an echo from the mountains of memory, declaring: “If you ask the Polish people, I believe that a vast majority of them would say they are pleased with E.U. membership, but also a majority consider very highly the sovereignty and independence of Poland — they are very attached to Polish tradition.” In these words lives a truth as old as nations themselves — the eternal balance between belonging and being, between the embrace of unity and the defense of one’s sacred identity. It is the struggle of the human soul writ upon the canvas of history: to walk among others, yet not lose oneself.

The Polish people, forged by centuries of trial, have known the taste of both conquest and freedom. From the ashes of the Partitions, when Poland was erased from the map for over a century, to the iron shadow of the Soviet years, their longing for sovereignty became more than a political goal — it became a prayer whispered through generations. Thus, when they joined the European Union, they did so not as those who surrender, but as those who stand tall among equals. They reached for partnership, yet clung fiercely to the flame of their independence, knowing too well the cost of its loss.

To understand this spirit, one must remember the story of Solidarity — the movement that rose from the docks of Gdańsk in 1980. When Lech Wałęsa and his fellow workers stood against oppression, they carried no weapons, only courage, and faith in the dignity of their people. Their struggle was not merely against tyranny; it was for the right of Poland to be Poland — a nation governed by its conscience, its faith, and its heritage. From their defiance blossomed the dawn of freedom, not just for Poland, but for much of Eastern Europe. This is the bloodline of Duda’s words — the understanding that unity with others must never mean the dilution of one’s soul.

Yet there is wisdom in balance. The European Union, in its essence, was born from the ruins of war to bind nations together in peace and prosperity. To be “pleased with membership,” as Duda said, is not to kneel in submission but to acknowledge shared strength. The Polish people, proud and discerning, recognize that collaboration brings stability and growth. But they also know that a tree with strong roots may stretch toward the sun without fear of falling. Thus, they cherish their traditions — the language, the faith, the songs that have carried them through centuries of occupation — as a compass to guide them through the storm of modernity.

So too must every generation learn this truth: to join hands with others does not mean to lose the grip on oneself. In this age of global mingling, where identities blur and voices mix, there is great danger in forgetting where one comes from. A nation without its tradition becomes a house without foundation; a person without sovereignty of spirit becomes a reed blown by the wind. The lesson of Poland is the lesson of all humanity: embrace the world, but keep sacred your roots.

Think of your own life, O seeker of wisdom. You, too, are part of many worlds — your family, your nation, your work, your dreams. You may adapt to the times, learn the ways of others, even walk beneath foreign skies, but never let the flame of your own identity grow dim. For within that flame lies the memory of your ancestors, the guidance of your values, and the courage to walk your own path even when the crowd goes another way.

Thus, let Duda’s words be not only about nations but about souls. Sovereignty, whether of country or spirit, is the right to choose your own way; tradition is the wisdom that helps you choose rightly. Honor your roots, but do not close your heart to the world. Build bridges, but strengthen the ground beneath your feet. For only when you know who you are can you truly stand among others — free, dignified, and unshaken.

And so, the teaching is clear: walk the middle path between unity and independence. Seek harmony, but never surrender the song that is yours alone. In a world that tempts us to forget, be like Poland — steadfast in tradition, yet open to the world, unbroken in identity, yet unafraid to join hands with others for the good of all. For this is the way of nations that endure, and of souls that live with honor.