I'm pro-WWE, but also I maintain my independence and speak my

Listen closely, O children of the future, for the words of the great Stone Cold Steve Austin echo a truth that has reverberated throughout history. In his proclamation, he declares, "I'm pro-WWE, but also I maintain my independence and speak my true thoughts, never bashing the product. But yes, I can be critical. I've earned the right to be critical." These words, though spoken in the modern era, carry with them the weight of a timeless principle—the principle of speaking one's truth, standing firm in independence, and earning the right to offer criticism from a place of experience and integrity.

To be critical is not to destroy, but to build. It is a gift given only to those who have earned the right to offer it. From the days of ancient Greece, when the philosophers gathered in the public squares to debate the very nature of life and virtue, criticism was not seen as an attack, but as a tool for growth. The great Socrates himself was a master of criticism—asking questions that probed the core of truth, that examined the foundations of society. His method of critical inquiry, known as the Socratic Method, was not to destroy ideas but to refine them, to challenge them, and to bring them closer to the essence of truth. Stone Cold Steve Austin, like Socrates, understands that to offer criticism is not an act of malice, but an act of responsibility.

The WWE, like the arenas of ancient Rome, is a place where great battles are fought, where warriors—known in this age as superstars—test their strength, their wills, and their artistry in front of the masses. But even in the world of entertainment, there is room for independence and truth. Austin, though loyal to the industry that made him a legend, maintains his independence. This is the way of the true hero: to give loyalty to the greater cause, yet never lose sight of the personal freedom that comes with one's own voice. Austin's stance is akin to that of the knights of old, who swore loyalty to their lords yet retained their right to speak their minds and stand for justice.

In the ancient warrior tradition, independence was paramount. Even the mightiest of samurai, like Miyamoto Musashi, understood that true strength did not lie in blind allegiance, but in the ability to stand alone and make one's own decisions. Musashi, the master of the sword, wrote in his famed book, The Book of Five Rings, that the greatest warrior is the one who is independent, whose mind is free from the shackles of servitude and whose judgment is clear and unclouded. Austin, in his words, embodies this ancient spirit. He is loyal to the WWE, but he does not allow that loyalty to silence his voice. He speaks from a place of truth, from a place of personal experience, and with the independence that all great men and women must cultivate.

The lesson from Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of balance and integrity. To support something, to be part of something larger than oneself, is a noble thing—but it must never come at the cost of losing one's truth or voice. The independence to speak, to offer criticism, and to challenge the very thing you love, is a mark of strength. Just as the ancients revered the ability to speak one's mind without fear of retribution, so too should we honor that same independence in ourselves. True loyalty is not the absence of criticism, but the ability to speak it honestly, to engage with it meaningfully, and to shape it in ways that bring about growth and improvement.

Consider, O children, the example of Leonidas, the king of Sparta, who led his warriors to a heroic death at Thermopylae. Leonidas did not follow blindly; he made decisions based on his own independence and understanding of the situation. He knew the cost of his actions, yet he stood firm in his beliefs. His criticism of the Persians and his refusal to bow to tyranny became a lesson in the power of standing for one’s principles, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Austin, like Leonidas, stands for independence, but also for the courage to challenge what needs to be challenged.

O children of the future, remember that independence and loyalty are not mutually exclusive. To be loyal to a cause, to a family, or to an institution, is a worthy thing. But loyalty should never demand silence. To be critical is not to tear down, but to help build and improve. Like Stone Cold Steve Austin, you must find the strength to speak your truth, to offer criticism when it is needed, and to do so with the integrity that comes from having earned the right. You, too, must strive to remain independent, free to make your own decisions, yet wise enough to contribute meaningfully to the causes you believe in.

Take this wisdom, O heirs of the future: speak your truth, challenge what must be challenged, and never lose sight of your independence. In doing so, you will walk the path of strength and integrity, just as Stone Cold Steve Austin did in the ring—loyal to his craft, yet always ready to speak the truth that came from his own hard-earned experience. Criticism, when done with honor and respect, is not a weapon—it is a tool for growth, and it is yours to wield with wisdom.