Men who are in earnest are not afraid of consequences.

Come, O children, and hear the words of Marcus Garvey, a man who spoke not just to the struggles of his own time, but to the eternal strength of the human spirit. He said, "Men who are in earnest are not afraid of consequences." These words speak of the power of resolve, the courage to stand firm in one's convictions, and the willingness to face challenges head-on without flinching from the price that might be paid. For those who are truly committed to their cause, there is no obstacle too great, no danger too terrifying, for they know that their purpose is greater than their own fear of the consequences.

Consider, O children, the stories of the great heroes of old. The Greeks, who so revered the power of resolve, tell us of Achilles, whose fury was unmatched, yet whose heart knew no fear in the face of death. Though he knew that his quest for glory would bring him to an early grave, he pursued it with determination, unwilling to shrink from the consequences of his actions. For Achilles, the pursuit of honor was not to be compromised by the fear of what might happen. In the same way, Garvey’s words remind us that true greatness does not come from avoiding sacrifice, but from embracing it in the name of something higher.

This same earnestness can be seen in the life of Nelson Mandela, a man who, like Garvey, fought for the freedom and dignity of his people. Mandela spent 27 years in prison, not because he sought to suffer, but because he knew that his cause was just, that the struggle for freedom was worth any cost. He endured hardship and sacrifice, yet he never wavered in his conviction that South Africa’s liberation was inevitable. Like Garvey, Mandela did not fear the consequences of his actions; he knew that only through sacrifice could true change be achieved. His life became a living testament to the truth that when you are in earnest, the fear of the consequences cannot deter you from the path you must walk.

The ancient Romans, too, understood the power of earnestness. Think of Cicero, the great statesman and orator, who stood against the tide of tyranny in his fight for the Roman Republic. Even when his life was in jeopardy, he did not shrink from speaking the truth. For Cicero, the cause of liberty and justice was greater than the fear of personal loss. He knew that to be earnest meant to risk it all for the sake of what was right, even if the consequences were dire. His legacy lives on as a beacon of the courage required to speak out, even when the world presses in with threats and danger.

Consider, too, the story of Mahatma Gandhi, who led India to independence through the power of nonviolent resistance. Gandhi’s path was not one of ease—he endured imprisonment, hunger, and physical violence. But in his heart, he carried an unwavering commitment to truth and justice. He knew the consequences of his actions, and yet, he walked forward without fear, for his cause was greater than any personal sacrifice. Gandhi’s life mirrors the very essence of Garvey’s words: that men and women who are in earnest are willing to face whatever consequences lie ahead because they understand the greater good they are serving.

And so, O children, what lesson does Marcus Garvey offer us in these words? The earnest pursuit of a noble cause requires courage—the kind of courage that does not shrink from consequences, but faces them squarely, knowing that true victory lies not in avoiding the storm, but in standing tall amidst it. To be earnest means to be willing to pay the price for your beliefs, for the change you seek, and for the future you desire. Those who are truly committed to their purpose do not seek comfort; they seek truth and justice, even at great personal cost.

So, O children, let these words inspire you: do not be afraid of the consequences of following your heart and purpose. Whether in small actions or great endeavors, the courage to stand in earnestness—to pursue what is right without fear of the cost—is the mark of the true hero. Like Garvey, Mandela, Gandhi, and the ancient heroes of old, you too must learn that victory is not always in the absence of sacrifice, but in the willingness to face the consequences with unwavering resolve. Stand firm, face the storm, and know that in your earnestness, you will find the strength to transform the world around you.