Under conditions of war, governance demands all the more the involvement of as many ordinary citizens as possible. Everyone has to participate in contributing to the common good. And everyone has to submit to strict and tight discipline so everyone becomes an instrument for the common good. No one can be left out to work on one’s own, as an agent of disunity and discord. Everyone stays in the station that life’s circumstances have assigned to him or her, and in those circumstances fulfills one’s ordinary duties extraordinarily well.

For as long as responsible citizens live the spirit of solidarity with each other, we can entertain this conviction deeply: There is no problem we cannot solve, and no crisis – no matter how serious – we cannot overcome. But to give real substance and foundation to such optimism, we should all be prepared to work hard, without indolence or laziness. And we should all learn to listen to one another so we can serve, under the direction of those called upon to take positions of governance in society, not only with our lips, but also with whole heart and mind.

As we listen to each other, we should then pull together and help ensure that the governance of those in positions of power is fully directed to the common good of our people. Public officials have to be totally committed to serve, and such commitment demands that they listen and learn from others, study matters well, use their authority properly, and galvanize the people.

In galvanizing the people, it is absolutely necessary to take them as they are, with their strengths and weaknesses. They should then be challenged to share the dreams for our country, dreams so big and beautiful that they would be willing to put in great sacrifices to help realize them. That is why good governance entails having to make heavy demands on our people, but always in a manner that wins their hearts and minds. People have to see and feel that they are cared for, that their affairs have been laid in the hands of those who have nothing else in their heart and mind other than the common good of the country. They should feel amply protected by the genuine affection and deep understanding of those called upon to serve in public office.

The fact remains that our people are our most important assets. They have so much good in them. They have so much promise embedded in them. The task of governance is mainly to draw out all the good that is in our people. It is to get our people to work together and in teamwork with each other to begin realizing the promise latent in their talents and virtues.

Is discipline only a matter of an iron fist? No, and a thousand times no! It also is a matter of wrapping that demanding iron fist with velvet gloves so that when it strikes and makes demands – as it often must – it comes down as gently and as softly as possible.