No dictator can last forever. History shows that in the end

In the sweeping currents of history, there has always been a truth as old as time itself: no dictator can rule forever. Lee Hyeon-seo’s words echo this eternal wisdom: "No dictator can last forever. History shows that in the end, people around the dictator bring about change." The very essence of power is fleeting, and the forces that rise against tyranny are often birthed from within. For every ruler who seeks to dominate and control, there is a counterforce of individuals and movements, hidden within the society, ready to rise at the opportune moment. It is a universal law: the cycle of power is destined to change, and no matter how tightly a dictator holds the reins, time and history will eventually demand justice.

The ancients knew this well. In the Roman Empire, the mighty Caesars ruled with an iron fist, yet even they could not escape the inevitable tide of change. Julius Caesar, for all his brilliance and power, was ultimately betrayed by those closest to him—his own allies and friends. The very senators he trusted, such as Brutus, turned against him. His death marked the beginning of the end for the Roman Republic. This moment of betrayal, of change, revealed the fragility of even the most powerful tyrants. Lee Hyeon-seo’s words are a reminder of this historical truth: that in the end, the power of the people—often those who serve the regime itself—will be the one to bring about change.

Similarly, in China, the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty illustrates this same principle. The Emperor Wanli, who ruled for 48 years, became increasingly detached from his duties, leaving his officials to control the empire. While the emperor lived in luxury, many of his high-ranking officials resisted any reforms or changes, as they sought to maintain their own power and wealth. However, over time, a coalition of officials and common people, disillusioned with the status quo, began to demand change. The collapse of the Ming Dynasty was inevitable, driven not just by external forces but also by the hidden resistance within the empire itself. The people who wanted change had been waiting for their chance, much like the secret murmurs that stir before a great storm.

The French Revolution is another shining example of how the people around a dictator, driven by a desire for change, can shift the tides of history. Louis XVI, though a king in power, was unaware of the growing dissatisfaction within his own court and the wider society. Those who served him, from the aristocracy to the common folk, began to see the injustice of the system he upheld. Eventually, it was the actions of the people around him—his own advisors, his own citizens—that led to his downfall. Lee Hyeon-seo’s belief that "a lot of high-ranking officials don’t want change because they want to keep power" rings true in the story of Louis XVI, who resisted reform, only to be overthrown by the very forces he had ignored for so long.

In modern times, the fall of regimes such as those led by Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi further illuminates the universal truth that dictatorship cannot endure forever. Both rulers, in their final days, saw defection and betrayal from those closest to them—members of their inner circles, once loyal, became the catalysts for the revolutions that would ultimately end their reigns. These events, so recent in history, serve as vivid reminders of the power of change that lies within even the most seemingly impenetrable systems of oppression.

Yet, Lee Hyeon-seo also reminds us of a deeper truth—that change does not come easily. Those who seek to overthrow the status quo, especially those within the hierarchy of power, often must wait for the right moment, the chance to act. It is in this quiet waiting, in this gathering of strength and support, that the seeds of revolution are planted. Good people, like heroes of old, may feel powerless in the face of tyranny, but in their hearts, they carry the burning desire for justice and freedom. The lesson is clear: we must always be ready for that moment, when the tide of history turns, and the voices of the oppressed rise to claim their rightful place.

Thus, the lesson for us today is one of patience and resolve. We must remember that no matter how powerful the forces of oppression may seem, change is always possible. The dictators, the rulers who hold power through fear and manipulation, are but fleeting shadows in the vast expanse of time. Change will come, and when it does, it will come from those who have patiently waited, from those who have kept their hearts firm in the belief that justice will prevail. Let us be those who wait for the chance to bring about the change we seek, and when that moment comes, let us act with the wisdom and courage of those who have shaped history before us.