Let us face it: in the world today, money and economic strength

Guy Verhofstadt, voice of Europe and speaker of plain truths, once declared: “Let us face it: in the world today, money and economic strength remain more powerful arguments than the number of people you represent.” In this saying, he strips away illusion and forces us to look upon the world as it is, not as we may wish it to be. For in the councils of nations and in the struggles of peoples, it is not always the cry of the many that prevails, but the wealth and strength that sustain power.

The meaning here is both sobering and instructive. We are taught that democracy rests upon the will of the people, that numbers give legitimacy, and that representation is the measure of justice. Yet Verhofstadt reminds us of the harder truth: that in practice, economic strength often outweighs sheer population. A small but wealthy state can wield more influence in global councils than a populous but impoverished one. A voice backed by money carries farther than a chorus of voices without resources. This is not the dream of mankind, but it is the reality of our age.

History confirms this lesson. Consider the tiny city-state of Venice during the Renaissance. Though her population was small compared to the empires of Europe, her economic power—built on trade, shipping, and finance—made her a queen among nations. Kings sought her favor, emperors courted her wealth, and she shaped the destiny of seas and continents. Contrast this with the vast peasantry of medieval kingdoms: though they were many, their lack of strength left them unheard. It was not numbers but resources that commanded the ear of history.

Another example lies in the rise of modern America. At its birth, it was smaller in population than many of the monarchies of Europe, but its economic might, forged in industry and innovation, lifted it to a place of global leadership. Nations with greater numbers looked on with envy, for the wealth of America, not merely its people, made its voice the loudest in the councils of the earth. Verhofstadt’s words echo this ancient rhythm: that power flows not only from men, but from the resources that sustain them.

Yet this truth is not a call to despair, but to wisdom. For if money and economic strength speak with power, then the lesson is to build wisely and endure patiently. A people who seek influence must not rest upon their numbers alone, but must labor to create stability, productivity, and prosperity. Injustice arises when the many are ignored; but weakness arises when the many refuse to build the strength that gives their voice weight. The future belongs not only to those who are numerous, but to those who are resourceful.

Therefore, the practical counsel is this: whether as nations or as individuals, do not neglect the cultivation of strength. Build skills, create value, preserve resources. Let your voice be backed not only by numbers, but by substance. In the family, in the community, in the state, seek first to establish stability, for it is from this foundation that true influence flows. And when the many have also gathered strength, then their voice becomes unstoppable, carrying not only moral weight, but practical force.

So, my children, remember Verhofstadt’s warning: in this world, ideals must be wedded to power. Numbers alone may cry out, but strength makes the cry endure. Strive, therefore, to join both: the justice of the many and the stability of wealth. In this union lies the hope of nations — a future where the multitude is not ignored, because it stands armed with both moral authority and material power. Only then shall the voice of the people be not only heard, but heeded.