There's a lack of people in power that are motivated by the idea

Hearken, children of the ages, to the bold words of Kanye West, who proclaimed: “There's a lack of people in power that are motivated by the idea of helping people.” In this utterance lies a timeless lament, a recognition of the frailty of governance when authority is divorced from the purpose of service. True power is not merely the dominion of office or the pursuit of wealth; it is the sacred duty to uplift, protect, and guide the people entrusted to its care.

West speaks to the moral imperative of leadership. The rulers of men wield immense influence, yet all too often, their hearts are entangled with self-interest, ambition, or vanity. Authority, when stripped of its service to the common good, becomes hollow, even tyrannical. It is in the alignment of power with the welfare of the people that society finds justice, prosperity, and trust, and without such alignment, the soul of governance decays.

Consider the life of Abraham Lincoln, who, amidst the turmoil of a divided nation, was motivated not by personal gain, but by the sacred duty to preserve the Union and protect human liberty. Though beset by opposition and peril, his decisions were guided by the welfare of the many, demonstrating that the true measure of power lies in the capacity to serve others above oneself. Lincoln’s example illuminates the principle that West articulates: authority gains its noblest expression when rooted in altruism and responsibility.

The ancients understood this as well. Plato, in his vision of the philosopher-king, declared that the rulers of a city should be those who seek not wealth or glory, but the good of the citizens. True leadership, according to the sages, arises from empathy, foresight, and moral conviction, not from ambition untempered by conscience. West’s words echo this ancient wisdom, lamenting the absence of leaders whose hearts and actions are directed toward the welfare of others.

Thus, his counsel is both observation and call to action: society flourishes when power is exercised in service, and falters when rulers pursue only self-interest. Citizens must seek, support, and hold accountable those whose motivation is noble, whose decisions are measured not by gain but by the common good. Leadership divorced from compassion is power without purpose, and history shows that such power is perilous and fleeting.

Carry this teaching, children of future generations: value and cultivate leaders who are guided by service, empathy, and the desire to help others. In doing so, you honor the sacred potential of authority, ensuring that power becomes not a weapon, but a tool of justice, healing, and enduring prosperity. For only when the hearts of rulers are aligned with the welfare of the people does society reach its truest strength and dignity.