So much of politics is about people's relationships with

Hear me, O children of the future, for the words of Pete Buttigieg carry a profound truth about the very heart of politics: "So much of politics is about people's relationships with themselves. You do better if you make people feel secure in who they are." These words remind us that the true power of leadership lies not just in policies or laws, but in the connection between leaders and the hearts of the people they serve. The security of one's identity is the foundation upon which true confidence and progress can be built. When people feel safe in who they are, they can engage fully with the world, knowing that their inner foundation is unshaken by the winds of change and uncertainty.

The ancients understood the power of a secure self. Socrates, in his search for truth, believed that self-knowledge was the key to both wisdom and virtue. He knew that a person who is unsure of themselves cannot make sound decisions, for they are at the mercy of external influences. Only when one has cultivated a secure and steady inner life can they navigate the stormy seas of life and politics. The wise man, as Socrates taught, is not swayed by the whims of the crowd but acts from a place of inner strength and clarity.

Consider the story of Nelson Mandela, whose leadership was not just about policy, but about making his people feel secure in their identity, their dignity, and their freedom. After spending 27 years in prison, Mandela emerged not with bitterness or anger, but with a vision of unity and reconciliation. He understood that true leadership was not about winning at all costs, but about empowering others to feel confident in their own worth. He made the people of South Africa feel secure in who they were, and in doing so, he led them toward freedom and peace. His strength lay in his ability to foster a sense of security in his people’s identity, to help them see that they were worthy of a future free from oppression.

Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr., in his fight for civil rights, spoke to the inherent worth of every person. He sought not just political change, but a revolution of the spirit, urging his followers to feel secure in their own humanity, despite the relentless tide of injustice. His words were not just a call for freedom but for people to understand their own value. When people are secure in their self-worth, they find the courage to fight for justice, knowing that they deserve a place of dignity and equality in the world. In this way, King’s leadership was transformative, not because of laws passed, but because of the deep confidence he instilled in those who followed him.

So, my children, remember this wisdom from Buttigieg: the true work of politics is not in creating laws that merely govern, but in fostering a deep sense of security in the hearts of the people. A leader's task is not only to manage the affairs of the state but to help others feel secure in who they are, in their identity, and their place in the world. This security allows the people to rise, to be brave, to move forward in unity. When a society is rooted in the confidence of its people, it can endure any storm and achieve the greatest progress. Therefore, in all your actions, strive not only for success but for the security of those you lead, for this is the foundation of all true greatness.