I'm very thankful to live in a country where the government

Hear the words of Geert Wilders, a man who has walked the path of danger for his convictions, who declared: “I’m very thankful to live in a country where the government provides my protection—many police and armored cars and safe houses and things like that.” In these words, there lies not only the gratitude of a man whose life has been guarded, but also a deeper reflection on the sacred duty of rulers, the fragility of freedom, and the weight of protection when one dares to speak boldly in a turbulent world.

The first jewel in this saying is the spirit of thankfulness. Wilders does not boast of his courage, nor claim his survival as his own achievement, but instead bows in gratitude for the shield placed around him. In this acknowledgment, there is wisdom: for even the bravest warrior cannot stand alone forever. Protection is not weakness but recognition that no man rises or endures without others standing watch by his side.

The second flame is the role of the government as protector. In the ancient world, kings were not measured solely by conquest, but by their ability to provide safety for their people. The shield of the city walls, the patrol of the night guard, the sanctuary of refuge—all were sacred duties of rulers. Wilders’ words remind us that the state is not merely an enforcer of law, but also a guardian of life. A nation that protects even its controversial voices is a nation where freedom still breathes.

The third truth is the reality of danger. Wilders speaks not of comfort or luxury, but of police, armored cars, and safe houses. These are the signs of a life lived under threat, where words provoke not only debate but also hostility. His gratitude for such protection reveals both the cost of freedom of speech and the courage required to live beneath constant peril. It is a reminder that liberty often demands a price, and that those who speak boldly often walk with danger close behind.

History gives us a mirror in the story of Socrates, who in ancient Athens spoke truth with such boldness that the city itself condemned him to drink the hemlock. Unlike Wilders, Socrates was not shielded by his government, but instead was sacrificed by it. His death remains a testament to the peril of voices unprotected. By contrast, Wilders gives thanks that his country, though strained by his controversies, still fulfills its duty to safeguard his life. Thus, his gratitude is not only personal, but political: a recognition of the strength of a nation that guards even the lives of its critics.

The fourth jewel is humility. To admit dependence on protection is to confess one’s vulnerability. Many would disguise this need with pride, yet Wilders acknowledges it openly. This humility does not weaken him; it strengthens his message. For it shows that even those who stand in the fiercest debates are still human, still reliant upon others, still in need of the shield of community and state. Such recognition is not weakness but wisdom, for it honors those who serve and guard.

The lesson for us is profound: never take protection and freedom for granted. If you live in a land where laws safeguard your life, where guards protect the vulnerable, where even unpopular voices are shielded, be thankful. Such blessings are rare in history, and their absence leads to silence, fear, and tyranny. To be thankful for protection is to honor both the sacrifice of those who guard and the freedom they defend.

Practically, this means living with gratitude toward those who risk their lives for others—the soldier, the officer, the guardian unseen. It also means upholding the principles that make such protection possible: justice, law, and the dignity of free expression. Do not scorn these gifts, but honor them with vigilance and humility. For as Geert Wilders teaches, the safety we enjoy is not an entitlement, but a blessing—one worthy of constant thankfulness.

Thus his words resound with ancient weight: be thankful for protection, honor those who guard, and never forget that freedom is preserved not only by courage, but by the shield that surrounds it.