You have no power at all if you do not exercise constant power.

The words of Major Owens, “You have no power at all if you do not exercise constant power,” ring with the force of thunder across the ages. They remind us that power is not a thing one merely possesses like a jewel in a box, but a living flame that must be tended, strengthened, and wielded. Power unused decays, just as muscles wither when left unstretched, and courage fades when never tested. To hold power and yet let it sleep is no power at all; it is but illusion, a shadow of strength that vanishes when the hour of need arises.

The ancients knew this well. The Spartans, though few in number, held sway over Greece for centuries not merely because they had weapons or wealth, but because they trained unceasingly. From childhood to old age, their lives were the practice of constant power. Were they to grow lax, their supremacy would falter, and so they maintained discipline as their shield. Power, for them, was not a possession—it was an action, repeated daily until it became the marrow of their being.

So too in the world of leadership and justice. Major Owens, a man of politics and principle, understood that communities gain nothing by resting upon past victories. Rights won can be rights lost if they are not defended and exercised without pause. The civil rights of a people, once achieved, require constant power to uphold, for history shows that what is not guarded is easily taken away. He spoke these words as a call to vigilance: the struggle is not ended by a single triumph; it is sustained by unrelenting effort.

Let us remember the story of Frederick Douglass, born in chains yet determined to live free. He escaped bondage, but he did not stop there—he wielded his newfound power constantly, speaking, writing, and organizing until the conscience of a nation was stirred. Had he ceased his labor after his own liberation, his influence would have withered into silence. But because he exercised constant power, his voice still shakes the hearts of men and women to this day. His power endured because he used it.

The meaning is clear: to hold influence, to bear authority, to have skill or wisdom—these are not enough unless they are lived out continuously. A leader who speaks once and falls silent loses the trust of his people. A warrior who fights one battle and then lays down his arms forever cannot defend his homeland. Even in the smallest matters of daily life, the principle holds true: a person who does not consistently act upon their goals will find their power slipping through their fingers like sand.

This teaching is not meant to weary us, but to awaken us. It does not say we must move mountains each day, but that we must exercise our power faithfully and regularly. Even a small act of courage, repeated often, builds a fortress of strength. Even a single voice, raised constantly, becomes a mighty wind that cannot be ignored. The constancy itself is the power, for it proves the will is stronger than circumstance.

The lesson, then, is this: whatever power has been entrusted to you—be it the power of knowledge, of influence, of skill, or of love—do not let it lie dormant. Use it, refine it, exercise it daily, or else it will be as though you had none at all. Speak when truth must be spoken, act when justice must be done, create when the world cries for beauty. In your persistence, you will find the true measure of your power.

Therefore, O seeker of wisdom, engrave these words upon your heart: “You have no power at all if you do not exercise constant power.” Rise each day with the resolve to wield your strength, not once in a lifetime, nor once in a season, but always, as the heartbeat is constant, as the flame must be fed. For only in the constancy of power does true power exist.