Openness, respect, integrity - these are principles that need to

Hear, O children of the future, the words of Justin Trudeau, who in the halls of leadership declared: “Openness, respect, integrity—these are principles that need to underpin pretty much every other decision that you make.” In this utterance shines the eternal truth of governance and of life: that choices, great or small, if not built upon noble principles, crumble like a house without foundation. Openness, respect, and integrity are not ornaments of character, but the very pillars upon which trust and justice rest. Without them, no decision holds weight, no action bears fruit.

The origin of this saying lies in the realm of politics, where decisions carry the fate of peoples and nations. Trudeau, standing as one who sought to guide a country in the modern world, understood that power without principle becomes tyranny, and authority without honor becomes decay. In a time when leaders across the world were tested by corruption, division, and secrecy, he proclaimed that every decision—whether in policy, in governance, or in the quiet dealings of daily life—must be rooted in these three virtues. Thus his words serve as both command and counsel: without openness, the people will lose faith; without respect, communities will fracture; without integrity, even the greatest power will rot from within.

Consider, O listener, the story of Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, whose Meditations still guide men to this day. In an empire vast and trembling under the weight of wars, he held fast to principles not unlike those Trudeau named. He practiced openness in thought, listening to philosophers and soldiers alike. He practiced respect, treating even his enemies with humanity. And above all, he lived with integrity, never placing himself above the duty of service. His reign, though marked by hardship, is remembered as the rule of a philosopher-king, because he placed principle above ambition.

In contrast, recall the downfall of Richard Nixon. A man of power and cunning, he built his empire on secrecy and deception. For a time, his decisions seemed shrewd, his authority unshakable. But because his rule lacked openness, betrayed respect, and abandoned integrity, it crumbled in scandal. His name became a warning for all ages: no brilliance of mind can save a leader who forgets the pillars of virtue. Here again Trudeau’s words ring true: decisions without principle may triumph for a season, but in the end they destroy both the man and the nation.

These principles do not belong to rulers alone. They belong to every soul who walks upon the earth. The craftsman must act with integrity in his labor, lest his work collapse. The teacher must show respect to her students, lest knowledge become a burden instead of a gift. The family must live with openness, sharing truth with one another, lest secrets corrode the bonds of love. Whether great or small, every decision is made firm or weak by these three.

O children of tomorrow, take this wisdom into your hearts. Do not choose in haste, nor act in secrecy, nor walk with arrogance. Let openness be the lamp of your path, that truth may guide you. Let respect be the garment of your soul, that every person you meet may feel their worth. Let integrity be the shield of your heart, that you may stand firm against temptation and deceit. For if these three anchor your decisions, you shall walk upright even in storms, and your life shall be remembered as one of honor.

Practically, this means examining the roots of every choice. Before you act, ask: is my decision open, or does it hide? Does it show respect, or does it diminish another? Does it carry integrity, or is it tainted by deceit? If the answer is noble, proceed with confidence; if it is shameful, turn aside and seek another path. By such daily discipline, your life will grow into a tower built not on sand, but on stone.

Thus Trudeau’s words endure not merely as political counsel, but as timeless guidance for all mankind: “Openness, respect, integrity—these are principles that need to underpin every decision.” Let them be your compass, your anchor, your light. For kingdoms rise and fall, wealth comes and goes, but the life built on principle shall stand unshaken, remembered with honor long after the dust of time has settled.