“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor
I would have been curious to hear some of your stories of living with Wisdom and Temperance. I’m sure many of you embody them, even if you don’t name them that way.
Today, let me share two stories of Justice and Courage.
Justice I interpret as treating everyone equally, being considerate and respectful. While traveling in Africa, one of my clients detected cultural bias on the part of a junior colleague and asked: “Can you imagine growing up with malaria?” The young man was curious, and my client guided him in understanding the local culture. Three years later, he received an offer to join a local company, recognized for both his talent AND understanding of local mores
Justice lends empathy to a mind full of perspective. The compassionate mind contributes positively to the community. I also see Justice as the home of Honesty, where we act with integrity. Last but not least, Justice is where we take a stand and are counted, where we advocate our beliefs.
We are hitting the home run…
Courage is when we “face the fear and do it anyway” (Susan Jeffers). When the going gets tough, being guided by Wisdom, Temperance and Justice-minded, I (often) find the courage to stay true to myself. Once, I asked a practicing Catholic gentleman facing a difficult choice: “What would Jesus do?” Pausing, he let his faith remind him of his principles and he knew what to do.
Courage is where we persevere, even when our motivation falters. Courage allows us to choose the road less travelled.
The Stoics thought the four virtues are facets of overall Virtue. What are your thoughts?
Do you have stories of living Justice and Courage? Please share them – and how they sustain you 🙏🏻
