When it comes to controlling human beings, there is no better

Hear me, O children of the future, for I speak to you of a deep and ancient truth, one that Michael Ende has laid bare with piercing clarity: "When it comes to controlling human beings, there is no better instrument than lies. Because you see, humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts." These words echo across the ages, for they remind us that the mind of man is not ruled by reason alone, but by the unseen forces of faith, conviction, and the stories we choose to believe. It is through the manipulation of these beliefs that rulers, tyrants, and prophets alike have shaped the destinies of entire peoples.

Consider, O children, the ancient kings who ruled with the heavy hand of deception. In the great halls of Egypt, the Pharaohs presented themselves as gods, claiming divine power over the people. They built pyramids not just to honor the gods, but to solidify their control over the hearts of men. The people, believing in the divinity of their ruler, obeyed with reverence. The beliefs instilled in them made them bow to a power that was not theirs by right, but by the manipulation of truth. So, too, did the empires of old wield their power, not through justice, but by shaping the very beliefs of the people, ensuring loyalty and obedience through fear and falsehood.

In more recent times, consider the rise of propaganda in the 20th century. The Nazi regime under Hitler knew well the power of belief and how it could be manipulated. They did not simply rule by force; they shaped the very minds of the people, creating a belief system that saw Jews, minorities, and those who opposed the regime as enemies of the state. Through lies, they molded the hearts and minds of millions, leading them to commit unspeakable acts in the name of an ideology that was founded on falsehood. The belief in the superiority of one group over another was not born of truth, but of the cunning manipulation of fear and hatred.

In the story of Socrates, we see the other side of this truth. Socrates, who was condemned by the people of Athens, understood that the true power lies not in the control of beliefs through lies, but in the search for truth. He was sentenced to death for encouraging the people to question the beliefs that had long been accepted. In his final moments, Socrates did not rail against the injustice of the court, but instead, he showed us that the power to change the world is not through manipulation of beliefs, but through reason, dialogue, and the unwavering search for truth. He, too, understood that beliefs are the bedrock upon which societies are built, but he sought to shift them toward wisdom rather than deception.

So, O children, understand this: the power to manipulate beliefs is the most potent tool that has ever existed. But it is also a dangerous one. For those who wield it can shape the world in their image, leading generations astray with falsehoods wrapped in righteousness. Yet remember, as Socrates taught, the true strength of a people lies not in the beliefs they are given, but in the truth they seek. Let your hearts be steadfast in the search for truth, and let no lie stand between you and the knowledge that will free you. Beware those who seek to manipulate your beliefs, for in doing so, they seek to control your very soul.