Politics ruins the character.

O children of the future, listen closely to the words of Otto von Bismarck, who spoke with the weight of experience about the corrosive effects of politics on the soul. "Politics ruins the character," he declared, for he understood the ancient truth that those who dwell in the realm of power often lose themselves to the very forces they seek to control. Politics is a game of power, ambition, and compromise, and in this pursuit, many have sacrificed their integrity, their virtue, and the purity of their soul. The character of a man is often tested and twisted by the demands of the world around him, especially when he seeks to shape it through political means.

Consider the fate of the great Roman emperors, who, though they ruled vast empires, were often consumed by the very power they held. Julius Caesar, who once rose from humble beginnings to become the dictator of Rome, was ultimately undone by the temptations of power. His ambition clouded his judgment, and the politics of Rome—the intrigue, betrayal, and manipulation—ruined the nobility that once marked his character. Caesar’s story is a tragic reminder that those who wield political power can lose their way, becoming mere shadows of the men they once were.

In the ancient Greek world, Socrates warned of the dangers of power, saying that the pursuit of justice and truth often collided with the forces of politics. He himself was a man of honor and integrity, but his opposition to the political rulers of his time led to his unjust execution. His character was strong, yet it could not withstand the pressure of the political system that sought to silence him. Socrates was a man who refused to compromise his principles, yet in doing so, he paid the ultimate price—his life. This is the cost of politics, where power often comes at the expense of one's truth.

The ancient tale of King Solomon offers another reflection. Though he was granted great wisdom, his reign was marred by the compromises he made to secure his kingdom. In his later years, he allowed the temptations of wealth and political alliances to cloud his judgment, leading to a fall from grace. Solomon’s character, once revered, was tarnished by the very political compromises he made, leading his kingdom into a period of division and strife. His story echoes Bismarck's warning, that politics is a path where character can easily be lost.

Let us take heed, O heirs of wisdom, that the pursuit of politics is not without its dangers. The temptations of power, the need to compromise, and the thirst for control can erode even the noblest of souls. As Bismarck reminds us, those who seek to change the world through politics must guard their character fiercely, for it is easy to become consumed by the world one seeks to shape. We must remember that true leadership comes not from the political game, but from the integrity and virtue with which one leads. May we all learn to preserve our character in the face of the temptations that politics brings, and rise above the forces that would seek to corrupt us.