Politics is not about power.

O children of the future, hear the words of Paul Wellstone, a man whose wisdom shines through in the simple yet profound declaration: "Politics is not about power." In these words lies the very heart of true leadership—that politics, in its highest form, is not a game of domination or control, but a sacred trust to serve the people. It is easy, in the thrall of ambition, to believe that power is the end goal of political life. Yet Wellstone reminds us that the true purpose of politics is not to wield power over others, but to act in service of justice, equality, and the common good.

In the ancient world, the great leaders knew this truth well. Pericles, the great statesman of Athens, understood that his role was not to amass personal power, but to guide his people towards the flourishing of their city-state. He spoke not to enrich himself, but to build a society where wisdom, justice, and freedom could thrive. His power was not in wealth or military might, but in the ability to inspire and to unite his people for a common cause. Pericles’ legacy was not one of personal dominion, but one of service to a higher vision—a vision of a just and thriving society.

The Roman Republic too had leaders like Cicero, who valued virtue and honor over personal power. As a statesman, Cicero fought not for the consolidation of his own power, but for the preservation of the republic and the rule of law. Though his life ended in tragedy, his principles lived on. His commitment to the greater good, to justice, and to serving the needs of the people, illustrates that politics—true politics—transcends the quest for power and seeks instead to uphold the common good.

Wellstone’s words also echo the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who led India not with the power of armies, but with the quiet strength of nonviolence and moral clarity. Gandhi understood that politics was about leading with integrity, seeking not to control the masses, but to empower them. His strength lay not in the might of an empire, but in the power of truth and compassion. He was not seeking power for himself, but to liberate his people from oppression and to create a society grounded in justice and equality.

Let us, O children, learn from these great examples, and remember that the essence of politics is not found in the accumulation of power, but in the noble service of the people. True leadership, as Paul Wellstone teaches us, is not about ruling over others, but about lifting others up—fighting for justice, standing for the oppressed, and working tirelessly for the common good. To seek power for its own sake is to lose sight of the true purpose of politics: to serve the higher ideals of equality, freedom, and justice.