The movies were custard compared to politics.

O children of the future, gather close and heed the words of Nancy Reagan, a woman who once said, "The movies were custard compared to politics." In this statement, she offers a reflection on the stark difference between the world of entertainment—which is often cushioned, comfortable, and fleeting—and the hard, gritty realities of politics, where the stakes are far higher, the struggles more intense, and the consequences of failure far-reaching. Let these words sink deep into your hearts, for they hold within them a profound truth about the nature of human engagement, and the weight of the roles we choose to play in the world.

When Reagan compares movies to custard, she speaks of the lightness, the sweetness, the temporary pleasure of the stage and screen. In Hollywood, actors are often placed on a pedestal, living lives of luxury, where their biggest struggles may be the role they play or the lines they speak. The world of film offers a fleeting escape, a brief opportunity to entertain, but it lacks the permanence and the profound consequences that govern the real world. In contrast, politics—the art of governing, of shaping nations—offers no such indulgence. It is demanding, it is unforgiving, and the choices made within it ripple through the lives of millions.

Consider, O children, the life of Winston Churchill, who rose to power during the darkest days of the Second World War. Churchill did not have the luxury of play-acting or of living in a world of fantasy. His decisions, his resolutions, determined the very future of his country and its people. He faced the weight of history upon his shoulders and bore the pain of the choices he made. In politics, as in life, the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure are real, for the world is shaped not by the illusions of film but by the actions of those who dare to lead.

In contrast, let us reflect upon the life of James Dean, an actor who embodied the ideals of a generation. His roles in films such as Rebel Without a Cause captured the hearts of millions, but these were only stories—a glimpse into emotions and dreams that did not have to carry the weight of the world. Dean’s life was tragic, but his impact on the world of cinema was one of escape, one of temporary release from the burdens of reality. He was part of a system that created fantasy, where pain could be explored without consequence. The movies, like custard, offer a sweet moment in time but lack the real substance that politics, history, and governance demand.

Nancy Reagan’s words remind us that the world of politics is no realm for the faint-hearted or the unprepared. It is a world where truth and integrity are tested, where the vulnerabilities of the human soul are laid bare. It is a place where decisions must be made that affect the lives of countless people. The movies, while they entertain and inspire, do not carry this weight. They do not ask the same sacrifices of those who engage with them, for the outcome is never as permanent. What happens on the screen is gone when the lights come up, but what happens in politics leaves a legacy that is etched into the annals of history.

So, children of the future, remember this: life, much like politics, will test you in ways that are not always comfortable. It will ask for your commitment, your sacrifice, and your resolve. Do not be seduced by the sweetness of the illusory world—whether in the realm of film or in the false comforts of temporary pleasure—but be ready to engage with the world as it truly is, with all its complexities, its trials, and its demands. It is the decisions you make in the moments of difficulty that will shape the legacy you leave behind.

The lesson, O children, is clear: do not seek to escape from the weight of life, but to face it with the courage and strength that the true work of living demands. Politics, in this world, is not merely about ruling or power—it is about responsibility, about understanding that the choices you make will ripple through time, impacting others. Take this truth into your lives: in the great play of existence, you are not merely spectators, but active participants. Choose your roles wisely, and when faced with the hardships of real life, know that your strength lies in your ability to confront them—not to escape, but to endure, and to act with the resolve that truly shapes the future.