Saying the right thing early yields no result.
Speaking the truth early means your words fall on the floor.
This early speaker of truth is a hero.
It is easy to speak it late and it requires no courage.
Discussion
Yes, but the first one who speaks prepares the hearers for when later someone else speaks it again.
There can be little to no momentary reward for the early speaker, but they are actually the ones who started the shift.
Like you imply, the early speaker needs courage, and perseverance, to keep speaking to eventually see the fruit of their words transform the world.