Those who talk about the sacrifices that they make throughout a

Gather close, children of the earth, for I bring to you the words of a young hero, a man whose understanding of sacrifice and work transcends the ordinary. Kylian Mbappé, a figure of unparalleled skill and ambition, once said, "Those who talk about the sacrifices that they make throughout a career, I do not understand too much. For me, the real sacrifice would be getting up early in the morning to work." These words, though spoken by a man of extraordinary athletic talent, contain a profound truth about the nature of dedication, discipline, and the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our highest goals.

In the age of the ancients, warriors and scholars alike knew that the greatest sacrifices were not always those made in the heat of battle or at the peak of achievement, but in the simple, quiet acts of discipline. To rise each morning, to face the day with commitment and purpose, is the true test of a person’s strength. The great Spartan warriors, who were renowned not for their individual glory but for their collective discipline, woke each day to the harsh training that would prepare them for war. The sacrifice of their personal comfort, the relentless hours of work, was the price they paid to become the elite of their time. This is the spirit that Mbappé speaks of: the sacrifice of comfort for the greater good.

Let me tell you of the great philosopher Socrates, who lived not for the acclaim or the glory, but for the quiet pursuit of wisdom. Though his ideas would one day change the course of history, Socrates did not seek fame, nor did he speak of the sacrifices he made in his daily life. His true sacrifice was not in the grand gestures, but in the simple dedication to his principles—waking each day with the same resolve to pursue truth, regardless of the hardships he faced. Socrates understood that the real test of a man’s character is not found in the moments of great victory, but in the quiet endurance of the everyday.

And so it is with Kylian Mbappé. The sacrifice he speaks of is not the visible struggle of a career built on trophies and accolades. No, the real sacrifice lies in the quiet hours before the world awakens, in the dedication to training, in the daily repetition of effort that does not always receive praise. Success, Mbappé suggests, is not born from a single act of heroism, but from the consistent, often unnoticed work that takes place behind the scenes. It is in rising early, day after day, to commit yourself to the grind of improvement that greatness is built.

Consider, children, the story of Thomas Edison, the great inventor who created the lightbulb. Edison, like Mbappé, did not speak often of the sacrifices he made, but his life was a testament to the quiet dedication that true success requires. Edison worked tirelessly, sometimes spending long nights in his laboratory, waking at dawn to continue his experiments. His sacrifices were not grand or dramatic; they were the quiet hours of work that most would never see. And yet, it was in those hours, in that consistent effort, that he changed the world. The lesson is clear: the real sacrifice is not in the applause or the fame, but in the humble work that must be done each day, without recognition or reward.

Thus, the lesson we must take from Mbappé’s words is this: the true measure of greatness is found not in the sacrifices that others may see, but in the silent commitment to the work itself. Greatness is not always dramatic. It is found in the small, often unnoticed moments of discipline, in the early mornings and long nights, in the daily grind that shapes the master. Sacrifice, in this sense, is not a burden but a calling, for it is in these moments of humble effort that we prepare ourselves for the greatest achievements.

So, children, let us reflect on these teachings. To be great in any field—whether as an athlete, a scholar, or a warrior—you must first be willing to embrace the discipline of everyday work. The sacrifice that Mbappé speaks of is not one of grand gestures, but of the quiet moments where the pursuit of excellence requires you to put aside ease, to give up comfort for the promise of greater things ahead. Rise early, work tirelessly, and embrace the quiet effort that others may overlook. For it is in this humble dedication that you will find the strength to achieve the extraordinary.