Some were given power to rule,
yet never touched the soul of a nation.
Others held no throne,
yet moved the hearts of millions.
A ruler is obeyed out of fear;
his power ends with his reign.
A leader is followed out of love;
his influence outlives him.
By the weight of his power,
a ruler may wield the illusion of greatness.
But the greatest among us
never sat upon the throne,
yet his spirit guided a nation
more deeply than any who did —
through the quiet strength of character,
the courage of conviction,
and the authentic love of the people.
He reigned, yet never ruled —
and that is the hallmark of greatness.