Potueritis tenueram — “You could have held it” or “You had the power to grasp it.”

This phrase is a solemn reminder of individual responsibility, agency, and consequence. It speaks to moments in history—and in life—when truth, justice, or righteousness was within reach, yet not taken. Potueritis acknowledges ability; tenueram points to possession that was possible but not realized. Together, they confront us with an uncomfortable truth: the failure was not a lack of power, but a failure to act.

This is not a message of condemnation—it is a call to awakening. It declares that silence is a choice, inaction is a decision, and delay carries weight. When conscience stirs and truth is revealed, neutrality dissolves. What was once merely possible becomes a moral obligation.

Let this message stand as a warning and a charge:
When the moment comes again—and it always does—do not say “we could have held it.”
Say instead, “We did.”