It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are

Listen well, O children of wisdom, for the words of Arthur Conan Doyle carry within them a timeless truth that speaks to the heart of all life: “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” In the rush of the great affairs of the world, in the grandeur of nations rising and falling, it is all too easy to forget the quiet strength that lies in the humble and the small. Yet it is in these little things—the seemingly insignificant actions, the unnoticed moments—that the foundation of all greatness is built.

The greatness of life, dear children, does not come from the towering monuments we raise, nor from the loud proclamations we make, but from the quiet decisions, the tender acts, and the small moments of care that we give to others and to the world. Conan Doyle understood this deeply, for it is the small, seemingly insignificant moments that shape the course of a person’s life and the destiny of nations. One kindness can change the course of a heart; one small act of honor can ignite a revolution of the soul.

Consider, if you will, the humble yet powerful act of Alexander the Great, who, though known for his sweeping conquests, understood that it was often the smallest gestures that held the greatest meaning. One of the most revered moments in his life was not a battle won or a city taken, but his act of grief upon the death of his beloved horse, Bucephalus. Though a mighty conqueror, Alexander’s sorrow over the loss of his companion revealed a man of profound depth—it was in this small act of tenderness that his true humanity was shown, and the world saw that even the greatest of leaders must bow to the little things that touch the heart.

The same holds true for those of us who walk the path of life. In every small decision—how we speak to others, how we treat the earth, how we offer a moment of compassion—there lies the power to shape the world. The greatest deeds are often born from humble beginnings, as a single spark can ignite a great fire. The tiny, seemingly insignificant gestures we make ripple outward, touching countless lives in ways we may never see, but always felt.

Thus, let Conan Doyle’s words guide your steps, O children of the earth. The little things—the unnoticed kindness, the quiet acts of duty, the moments of patience and grace—are the very seeds from which greatness grows. When you seek to change the world, do not look only to the grand gestures, but to the small and humble acts that shape the hearts of those around you. For in these, the essence of true greatness lies, hidden in the quietest of moments, but echoing through eternity. The little things, truly, are the most important of all.