Superior strength is found in the long run to lie with those who

James Anthony Froude declared: “Superior strength is found in the long run to lie with those who had right on their side.” In these words, we are given not just an observation of history, but a principle as old as the march of time itself. The ancients believed that justice was not a fleeting force but a river that, though delayed by rocks and bends, inevitably reached the sea. So too does right—though it may stumble, though it may seem defeated—ultimately gather its own strength, outlasting and overpowering the brute force of those who stand against it.

To understand this, we must see that superior strength is not measured by immediate victories, by wealth, or by the sharpness of the sword. These things burn brightly for a moment and then turn to ash. The tyrant may rise swiftly, but his throne is built upon sand. The oppressor may conquer cities, but his power trembles at the whisper of truth. True strength lies in endurance, in the quiet and steady force of righteousness that may be hidden for years, yet rises again and again, refusing to perish.

History itself speaks this lesson. Consider the tale of Mahatma Gandhi. Against the vast empire of Britain, he had no army, no cannons, no wealth of weapons. He had only truth, and the belief that right stood with his people’s freedom. For years, he endured imprisonment, ridicule, and violence. Yet in the long run, it was the might of the empire that withered, while the strength of India’s cause grew until it could no longer be denied. In this, we see the proof: those who had right on their side endure beyond the oppressor’s strength.

The ancients, too, saw this truth in their epics. The story of David and Goliath is not merely of a boy defeating a giant, but of right defeating might. Goliath’s sword gleamed, his armor shone, his stature terrified. But David stood with justice, with courage rooted in the belief that his cause was true. And though the giant fell swiftly, the story endures eternally, teaching that brute force is never the final master.

From this we must draw our own path. When we face injustice, when we encounter falsehood and deceit, we may feel weak, outnumbered, or overpowered. But Froude’s words remind us that time is the ally of righteousness. The battle may be long, and the night may be dark, but if we hold to what is right, if we refuse to bow to corruption, our strength will grow even as the unjust exhausts itself. The oppressor spends his power quickly; the righteous store it for the long run.

Therefore, let us practice patience as well as courage. When you are wronged, do not despair at the seeming strength of your adversary. Instead, anchor yourself in truth and continue walking your path with integrity. Stand for what is just even when it is unpopular, for justice is like the oak tree—it grows slowly but becomes unshakable. Speak truth, even when it trembles on your lips, for truth has a power beyond the sword.

In our daily lives, this means refusing shortcuts born of dishonesty, resisting temptations to betray our values for quick gain, and treating others with fairness even when cruelty seems easier. It means remembering that every choice sows a seed, and the seeds of righteousness, though slow to sprout, yield the strongest harvest.

So hear this, O seekers of wisdom: the strength of right endures, the strength of wrong withers. Walk in truth, and though you may struggle now, the future will bear your crown. For in the long run, victory is not given to the powerful, but to the just.