In his essays, the renowned family entrepreneur Jörg Mittelsten Scheid addresses the fundamental pillars of our society. Without shying away from uncomfortable topics, he raises awareness of the increasing loss of values and emphasizes the necessity of continuously nurturing democracy as a complex regulatory construct. Mittelsten Scheid urgently warns against negative developments, particularly the creeping restriction of opinion, and advocates for participation and performance-enhancing competition as cornerstones of a sustainable democracy. In clear terms, he invites readers to reflect on the challenges of our era. A wake-up call and inspiring reading for anyone who wishes to engage actively with the fundamental principles of our democracy.