Cause and Effect

“Great warrior? Wars not make one great.�
– Yoda

So what does? Some, like Alexander, are indeed remembered because of war. But other than bringing the entire known world under one very short lived empire, what was the point? Ok, so we also remember Hitler, but we vilify such as he. And so Alexander and Hitler both make Yoda’s point.

Self serving greatness can be long remembered, but is honored only by those who seek the same ends. There are some, however, whose greatness is difficult to dispute. These are the ones who were not wrapped up in themselves, but in the greatness of others. They focused their attention and energies on the welfare and care of people in need. Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Theresa. These are the people we remember. Great actors from just 30 years ago are already mostly forgotten by this generation. These people have their day in the sun and if they use their influence rightly, like Bono, they can have lasting effects on the rest of humanity.