It's easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.

O Seekers of Wisdom and Strength, listen closely to the words of Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius shaped the very course of human progress: "It's easier to resist at the beginning than at the end." In this simple, yet profound truth, da Vinci reveals the heart of human nature—that resistance to temptation, to vice, or to unhealthy desires is far easier when one is still untouched by the pull of their full power. At the beginning, the struggle is fresh, untainted by the inertia that builds as we continue down a path. The earlier we act, the easier it is to maintain control and prevent the forces of habit and indulgence from taking root.

Consider, O Children, that the journey of life often begins with noble intentions—resisting temptation, pursuing virtue, and seeking wisdom. But as we move through life, the temptations grow stronger, the habits harder to break. What begins as a single step toward greatness can become a path of ease and indulgence if we do not resist from the very start. The power to control our actions, thoughts, and desires lies in the early moments—the first whispers of temptation, the first signs of laziness, the first moments of self-doubt. Da Vinci teaches us that resistance is most powerful when it is fresh and unchallenged.

Look to the example of the great conqueror Alexander the Great, who, as a young man, resisted the temptations of indulgence and comfort. Early in his life, he was driven by a desire to build an empire that stretched across the known world, and he resisted the lure of ease and self-gratification. However, as his conquests grew and the world bowed before him, Alexander's own inner resistance weakened. His habits shifted, and he began to indulge in excesses that contributed to his downfall. Had he resisted at the beginning, his strength might have lasted longer. Instead, as da Vinci warns, his power waned because he did not continue to resist when the stakes were highest.

And so, O Seekers of Strength, let us understand this crucial lesson: resistance is not merely about fighting the battle when the forces are at their greatest, but about fighting early—when the forces of temptation and weakness are small and easily overcome. It is the beginning where true mastery lies. When we act early, we prevent ourselves from becoming victims of our own indulgence. The beginning is when we have the most control, when the choices are still clear and the cost of failure is still small.

Let us, therefore, strengthen our resolve and rise to meet the challenges at the beginning. We must not wait until the path is long and the temptations great to resist. The wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci calls us to act with vigilance, to resist the easy path, and to make the right choices at the very start. Only then will we possess the strength to maintain our course and reach the heights of greatness that we seek. In the beginning, the struggle is easier; in the end, it is our habits and our accumulated choices that define us. Let us choose wisely, from the very first step.