We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society.

Joe Biden, speaking as both a leader and a son of his age, once declared: “We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society.” In these words burns both lament and hope. For the fire he speaks of is not of destruction, but of vision—the flame that once guided generations toward higher purposes, toward dreams beyond themselves. He warns that this fire, though once bright, has dimmed under the ashes of cynicism, fear, and division. Yet he also believes that it can be rekindled, if only we have the courage to breathe upon it again.

The meaning is clear. Idealism is the belief that humanity can rise above greed, hatred, and despair; it is the conviction that justice, equality, and compassion are not impossible fantasies, but goals worth pursuing, even when difficult. When Biden calls for the fire of idealism, he calls for renewal—a return to the energy that inspires people to sacrifice for the common good, to build not just for themselves, but for generations yet unborn. Without this fire, a nation grows cold, fragmented, and without purpose.

History offers us many examples of such fire. Consider the founding of the United States, when weary colonists, facing the might of the British Empire, dared to declare independence. Their chances of victory were slim, their resources small, yet the idealism of liberty and self-governance fueled them. That fire transformed farmers into revolutionaries, and it forged a republic whose very existence testified to the power of vision over fear. Though imperfect and flawed, it was idealism that gave the nation its birth.

Likewise, in the 20th century, the civil rights movement rekindled this same flame. For centuries, injustice had chained millions in the United States to inequality. Yet leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. spoke not only of grievances but of dreams—the dream of a land where children would be judged by character, not by color. This dream was idealism in its purest form, and though it demanded sacrifice—marches, jail cells, even blood—it moved the hearts of millions. And with each sacrifice, the fire grew brighter, warming a nation that had grown cold to justice.

Biden’s words also echo the wisdom of the ancients. In Greece, philosophers like Plato spoke of the “idea of the good”—a vision beyond selfish desire that gave meaning to human life. In Rome, statesmen reminded their people that a republic could not survive on wealth alone, but on virtue and shared purpose. Each time the fire of idealism waned, corruption and decline followed. Each time it was rekindled, renewal came. Thus, the cycle of history shows us the eternal need for vision.

For us, the lesson is urgent. We must not let ourselves be ruled by cynicism, nor believe that kindness, justice, and equality are naïve illusions. These ideals are the only forces that have ever truly moved society forward. To live without idealism is to stumble in darkness, guided only by appetite and fear. To live with it is to light the path—not only for ourselves, but for others.

Practical action flows from this teaching. Ask yourself: what is the ideal you are willing to serve? Is it fairness, compassion, truth, or freedom? Nurture it daily in your words and deeds. Encourage young people to dream boldly, not just to survive but to shape a better world. Support leaders and movements that inspire hope, not just anger. And in your own life, let small acts of courage—defending the weak, speaking truth, choosing kindness—add sparks to the greater fire.

So let Biden’s call resound in your heart: “We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society.” For though flames may fade, they are never fully extinguished. All it takes is a breath of courage, a hand extended in service, a voice raised in truth, to awaken the embers. And once lit, this fire can spread from soul to soul, until an entire people burns again with the light of vision, warming not only the present, but the centuries to come.