Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the

“Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned—it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move forward so long as you keep up the momentum.” – Ban Ki-moon

Thus spoke Ban Ki-moon, the quiet diplomat of the world, whose life was dedicated to harmony among nations and the pursuit of peace. His words, humble yet profound, are a reflection of the eternal rhythm of progress. In this teaching, he reminds us that the great journey of humanity—its struggles, its triumphs, its hopes—is not carried forward by the brilliance of a few, but by the common effort of the many, united in purpose and strengthened by persistence. His image of the bicycle is not merely metaphor but a lesson in the laws of motion, both physical and moral: to remain upright, one must keep moving; to reach the destination, one must not stop.

The origin of these words lies in Ban Ki-moon’s own experience as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, where he witnessed the complexity of the world’s struggles—poverty, war, climate change, and injustice. He saw that progress came not through speeches or intentions, but through relentless action sustained over time. Nations would falter when they lost focus, and succeed only when they pressed forward together with discipline and hope. In these words, he distills a truth as ancient as civilization itself: that momentum is the essence of all human achievement. When we lose it, we fall; when we persist, we rise.

History is a grand testament to this principle. Consider the building of the Great Wall of China, a task so vast that it spanned centuries and dynasties. It was not the work of one emperor or one generation, but of countless hands and enduring will. Each stone placed upon another was an act of persistence, each year of labor a measure of purpose. The Wall stands not merely as a monument of defense, but as a symbol of human endurance—proof that seriousness of purpose and continuous effort can give form to what once seemed impossible. Like the rider who must keep pedaling to stay upright, humanity, too, must keep moving to survive.

Ban Ki-moon’s image of the bicycle captures the fragile balance of progress. When one rides, hesitation brings collapse. So too with nations and with lives: when we pause too long in fear or doubt, when we lose sight of the shared goal, we falter. Yet when we move forward, even slowly, our balance returns. The motion itself sustains us. The world’s greatest endeavors—ending slavery, reaching the moon, establishing peace after war—were not completed by leaps, but by steady, determined steps. Persistence is the quiet hero of every victory.

But this truth extends beyond nations—it belongs to every individual soul. The one who seeks wisdom, who fights despair, who builds love or art or community, must learn the same lesson. Life will often feel like a narrow road, with winds against you and steep hills ahead. Yet as long as you keep the momentum, you will not fall. The secret is not to avoid difficulty, but to embrace it as motion itself. The wise understand that stillness is not peace, but stagnation; true peace is movement in harmony with purpose.

And yet, Ban Ki-moon’s words also remind us that purpose must be clear, for persistence without purpose is blind motion. The seriousness of purpose is what gives direction to our endurance. The cyclist who pedals without knowing where he goes will tire before he arrives; but one who rides toward a goal, no matter how distant, finds strength in the journey itself. So it is with the world: our unity, our science, our progress must be guided by vision—toward justice, compassion, and the preservation of life. Without such vision, momentum becomes chaos.

So, my child of tomorrow, take this teaching into your heart: keep moving forward. In your work, in your studies, in your struggles, do not seek comfort in rest alone. Find strength in motion, courage in persistence, and wisdom in purpose. When the road feels long, remember that every revolution of the wheel brings you closer to the horizon. When you stumble, rise again—for even falling is part of learning to ride. As Ban Ki-moon teaches, humanity’s progress—yours and mine—depends not on perfection, but on perseverance. Keep your eyes fixed upon the goal, your heart steady, and your spirit in motion. For as long as you keep your momentum, you will not fall, and the world itself will move forward with you.