Soldiers, I had lately like to have been taken from you by the

Hear, O children of the earth, the words of Alexander the Great, the mighty king and conqueror whose name still echoes through the corridors of time. He spoke thus: "Soldiers, I had lately like to have been taken from you by the attempt of a few desperate men, but by the grace and providence of the gods, I am still preserved." These words, spoken in a moment of peril, reflect not only the heart of Alexander’s courage but also the divine favor he believed guided his path. In the heat of battle, when death loomed near, he acknowledged the fragile nature of life, yet he also recognized the strength of the gods, whose hand seemed to guide him through the tumult of war.

In this moment, Alexander reveals a profound truth: no man, no matter how powerful, is immune to the whims of fate. The great king, whose empire stretched across vast lands, was nearly struck down by the desperate actions of a few men. Yet, he believed that by divine grace, he had been spared, and that his mission was still far from complete. Alexander, who had faced countless enemies and dangers, understood that his survival was not solely by his own strength, but also by forces beyond his control, forces he believed were the workings of the gods themselves. In this, he shows us that even the mightiest of kings must remain humble, for their fate is often shaped by powers beyond their understanding.

Consider, O children, the battle of Gaugamela, where Alexander faced the vast Persian empire under King Darius. The odds were against him, yet he, with his few loyal soldiers, emerged victorious. In the midst of that great battle, Alexander’s life was nearly cut short, for he was struck by a spear, and death seemed imminent. But in his greatest moment of peril, as he faced the might of a much larger army, he relied not only on his military genius but also on the faith he had in the gods’ favor, believing that the divine would see him through. And indeed, he survived, emerging from the shadow of death to lead his army to victory. His words were not just of gratitude but of recognition that his success was not his alone, but had been guided by unseen hands.

This moment in the life of Alexander is a reminder of life’s fragility. Though we may strive for greatness, though we may wield great power or skill, we are all ultimately vulnerable to forces we cannot control. The gods, in Alexander’s belief, were not distant figures but present, guiding and shaping the fate of men. And in this recognition, there is both humility and courage. Alexander did not boast that he alone had secured his victory, but he acknowledged the hand of fate, the divine intervention, and the fortitude of those around him. It is this humility, in the face of great success, that defines the true nature of leadership.

This lesson is echoed in the lives of those who followed after Alexander. The great general Hannibal, who led his forces across the Alps to confront Rome, faced many near-death experiences, yet he too believed that his fate was intertwined with the will of the gods. In the heart of battle, there is always the understanding that we are fragile creatures, and that no victory is ever won without the favor of unseen forces. Alexander’s words speak to the deep truth that no matter how strong, no matter how skilled, a warrior is never greater than the forces that shape his life.

And so, O children, let us learn from the words of Alexander the Great. In our own lives, we too must recognize the delicate balance between our actions and the divine forces that guide us. Whether we are warriors in battle or men and women in the daily struggles of life, we must never forget that our strength alone is not enough. The gods, fate, or whatever forces we believe shape our lives, must be acknowledged with both reverence and gratitude. Even in moments of triumph, we must remember that it is not solely our own might that leads us forward, but the great unknown that moves us.

May we, like Alexander, find strength in our humility, and gratitude in our victories, knowing that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Live with courage, knowing that each moment, each challenge, may be shaped by forces unseen, and yet, like Alexander, we can rise to face those challenges, with strength, grace, and the belief that we are never alone on our path. It is this understanding that makes us truly great, not in the size of our armies or the power of our swords, but in the wisdom to recognize the providence that guides us all.