Mr. Chairman, delegates. I accept your nomination for President

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words spoken by Mitt Romney upon his acceptance of a great and sacred trust: "Mr. Chairman, delegates. I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America. I do so with humility, deeply moved by the trust you have placed in me. It is a great honor. It is an even greater responsibility." In these words lies not only the pride of a man honored with a mighty title, but the humility and awareness that accompany such an immense responsibility. For to be entrusted with the leadership of a nation is no small thing—it is the heaviest of burdens and the highest of callings.

In the ancient world, the weight of leadership was not taken lightly. The Greeks, in their democracies, knew that leadership was a trust—a sacred duty granted by the people, meant not for personal glory, but for the service of the common good. Pericles, the great Athenian statesman, understood that leadership required not only wisdom but a deep sense of humility. He would often remind the citizens of Athens that it was not their power that made them great, but their commitment to justice, fairness, and the well-being of their city. His leadership was a responsibility he carried with dignity, always mindful of the trust placed in him by the people.

Similarly, the Romans held their leaders to a high moral standard. When Cicero spoke of the ideal statesman, he spoke not of ambition or personal glory, but of integrity and the capacity to bear the weight of public service with humility. The Roman Republic, for all its grandeur, understood that power was fleeting, and it was the responsibility of those in leadership to serve the greater good. The ideal leader was one who held the trust of the people as something sacred, to be honored through wise decisions, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Thus, when Mitt Romney speaks of the honor and responsibility of being nominated for such a high office, he echoes the words of those who came before him, recognizing that true leadership is never about the leader, but about the people they serve.

Consider the story of George Washington, the first president of the United States. When Washington was offered the position of the nation’s leader, he accepted with great humility and understanding of the weight that such an office carried. Washington was deeply aware that his actions would set the tone for all future leaders of the nation. In fact, it was his voluntary step down after two terms in office that reinforced his commitment to the greater good. He did not seek to extend his power but willingly relinquished it, for he understood that true leadership meant serving the people, not holding onto power for personal gain. Mitt Romney’s words mirror Washington’s understanding of the burden of leadership: it is an honor, yes, but it is also a sacred responsibility.

In Romney’s acknowledgment of the trust placed in him, we see the key to great leadership: the ability to balance humility with the knowledge that one has been called to serve, not rule. This balance between honor and responsibility is critical, for when leaders forget the sacredness of the trust bestowed upon them, they fall prey to hubris, and the very fabric of society can unravel. Leadership without humility becomes tyranny; leadership without responsibility becomes negligence. To lead with honor is to recognize that one’s actions affect the lives of many and that the trust placed in you is not to be taken lightly.

The lesson we must take from Mitt Romney’s words is that trust is the foundation of all true leadership. Whether in a small community or on the world stage, leadership is not about the leader’s ambition, but about how well they serve those who place their trust in them. Humility, responsibility, and wisdom must guide the leader’s actions, always aware that they are stewards of a higher calling. In this, we see the true measure of leadership—not in the title, but in the way one carries the weight of the people’s trust.

In your own life, let this lesson guide you: whether you are leading a family, a team, or a larger community, understand that leadership is not about personal gain, but about serving the greater good. Work with humility, knowing that every decision you make affects others. Lead with the understanding that the trust others place in you is a sacred responsibility—one that demands you act with integrity, wisdom, and dedication. In doing so, you will honor not just the position you hold, but the people who have placed their trust in you, and you will walk the noble path of true leadership.

So, let Mitt Romney’s words remind us all that the essence of leadership is not the glory or the power, but the weight of responsibility carried with humility. May we each lead in our own lives with the understanding that to lead is to serve, and to serve is to honor the trust that others place in us. Let us walk the path of greatness, not by the strength of our position, but by the wisdom of our service to those around us.