"The first virtue of a really great man is that they are sincere. They eradicate hypocrisy from their hearts. They bravely unveil their weakness, their doubts, and their defects. They are courageous.”- ANATOLE FRANCE

When I read this, I thought of how much more could this be true? I felt like Anatole France was much more than just a great thinker in history to write this tremendous amount of wisdom in just a few lines.

Ever wondered how peaceful life would be if we all took on such a lifestyle? Well, I do, and there’s not a clear word to describe how wonderful it would be if we didn’t run away from our weaknesses, doubts and defects but faced them each—one by one, humbly, with bravery, knowing they’re meant to shape us and that we can grow through them. Making hypocrisy our enemy, as Rwandans, being our drive to the future we crave. Making the difference!

But sadly, we have to come to terms with the fact that this is the real world, where people are different, and the same applies to their motivations.

But since you’re not just a person but rather a unique being, the only you who ever existed and will ever exist, a purposefully created being, how are you creating and shaping the legacy you’re going to leave behind some day?

One that even your enemies will have no choice but to acknowledge? Well, I’m no expert or guru at this, but neither am I completely ignorant of some important virtues that we all need to build; one I value a lot is honesty.

It’s a value we spend time searching for in others, we love to appreciate in others, but before we look to the other side of the fence, let’s check: What lies within our side? Do we live each day in sincerity most importantly, to ourselves, those we love and also to those around us?

And when we realize we are on the wrong page, are we willing to accept it and change for the better? Are we courageous enough to stand out from the crowd, without pretence, for the right things we believe in?

If each one of us could play his own part, living each day in preparation for tomorrow, let’s think about it, then maybe the world would be a better place.

The author is a S.6 student at Riviera High School.