The French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-62) declared: "When arguments are opposed against one another, those which are true and convincing confound and dissipate those that are no more than vanity and falsehood." Those who have truth on their side can, by their very nature, dispel those who purvey only lies. And at the same time, to compromise with falsehood is cowardice and weakness. This is even more so in our case as practitioners who uphold the correct teaching of Buddhism. Truth and justice must win out. Error and evil must be vanquished. This must be the iron rule that guides our struggle at all times.

The French author George Sand (1804-76) wrote: "To call attention to an evil is to combat it." Please don't ignore evil or injustice when you see it. Such inaction makes you complicit in wrongdoing. This was also the teaching of President Makiguchi.

The American civil rights activist Virginia Durr (1903-99) declared: "It seems to me that tolerance of evil has produced so much worse evil." And it was her conviction that no matter what happened, she would continue the fight against perpetrators of injustice. SGI members are trusting, good-hearted people. As a result, there are always cunning and devious individuals ready to take advantage of them. Please never be deceived by such people. Don't be foolish and allow them to get away with their schemes. It is vital to be unrelenting in the struggle against injustice and corruption; otherwise, the good and decent will suffer.

We must maintain a vigorous offensive against the corrupt and unscrupulous. Doing so is the highest form of justice; it is the greatest good. It is also important to take quick and decisive action in this struggle. Hesitating only aids the spread of evil. Don't overlook the smallest warning sign. Leaders must fight resolutely to preserve the pure realm of the Soka Gakkai.

There have been those who gained social prominence thanks to the Gakkai's support, only to become consumed by personal ambition and self-interest and turn around and betray their fellow members.The ancient Roman philosopher and orator Seneca said: "[Ingratitude] is, indeed, a heinous vice, it is intolerable."

I have spent my life fighting against such ingrates while protecting President Toda and working to make all his plans and ideals a reality. Just like there is only one sun in the sky, I have struggled over the years with the conviction that for me there is only one mentor, and that is Mr. Toda. I have triumphed over every obstacle and adversary that sought to block the path of kosen-rufu. That is why the Gakkai has prospered and grown into the organization it is today.