This reminds me of something that Schopenhauer said, in observations on psychology, where man becomes miserable if his intellect is disproportionate to his will, in other words, great ability without a great soul. Schopenhauer wasn't a Christian, but he had great insights.
I’ve been interested in cultivating magnanimity as it seems to be sorely absent in our society. One aspect I didn’t notice is magnanimity toward our neighbor—not seeking to “dunk on” or “own” or “destroy” our neighbor, but to show him mercy, kindness, and to overlook his faults.
Yeah, the urge to own or destroy someone in conversation usually misses the mark. You can count on having made an enemy rather than winning someone over.
I might be the odd woman spying on what you write for men (I just recently subscribed to your newsletter, so I'm not sure if more women read), but I'm glad you mentioned watching over your speech. If I might add something: it would be very nice if men would return to watching their speech, especially when women are present. I know there are a lot of women who speak worse than men and who can be just as crass, but there are some of us who would really appreciate your efforts!
A lot of people seem to be under the impression that cussing somehow make them edgy or badass, as though that were all it took. Pretty lame shortcut to something that is a much more difficult attainment.
Definitely. It is a pretty silly impression, if I may so add. At this stage, someone who does not cuss is more edgy because they have the creativity to come up with better ways to express themselves!
As I now do also to the extent that I suggest that teaching the virtues is superior to teaching the laws of any specific ideology.
All people thru all times have had an inherent and natural understanding of what they ought to do and what they ought not to do. Should one defer to the Holy Spirit we have a inspirational reason to the virtuous life, a good and chivalrous life.
This reminds me of something that Schopenhauer said, in observations on psychology, where man becomes miserable if his intellect is disproportionate to his will, in other words, great ability without a great soul. Schopenhauer wasn't a Christian, but he had great insights.
That's good stuff, and rather haunting to think about. Great ability without a great soul does seem like a disaster in the making.
Thank you, this was at once educational and challenging.
I appreciate the kind word!
If I were to add on humility, a lot of people often conflate it with harmlessness when that shouldn't be so.
There are times when one has to unsheathe his sword not out of a lust for violence but out of the need to protect. This is a form of saying "No".
That's why I think training or staying fit is of essence to any man.
They certainly want you to think humility = harmlessness!
As you say, they don't want you to have a "No" in you.
I’ve been interested in cultivating magnanimity as it seems to be sorely absent in our society. One aspect I didn’t notice is magnanimity toward our neighbor—not seeking to “dunk on” or “own” or “destroy” our neighbor, but to show him mercy, kindness, and to overlook his faults.
Yeah, the urge to own or destroy someone in conversation usually misses the mark. You can count on having made an enemy rather than winning someone over.
I might be the odd woman spying on what you write for men (I just recently subscribed to your newsletter, so I'm not sure if more women read), but I'm glad you mentioned watching over your speech. If I might add something: it would be very nice if men would return to watching their speech, especially when women are present. I know there are a lot of women who speak worse than men and who can be just as crass, but there are some of us who would really appreciate your efforts!
A lot of people seem to be under the impression that cussing somehow make them edgy or badass, as though that were all it took. Pretty lame shortcut to something that is a much more difficult attainment.
Definitely. It is a pretty silly impression, if I may so add. At this stage, someone who does not cuss is more edgy because they have the creativity to come up with better ways to express themselves!
Is chivalry then magnanimity in action?
The virtue is absolutely central to chivalry. I’ve long thought chivalry is the highest expression of it.
As I now do also to the extent that I suggest that teaching the virtues is superior to teaching the laws of any specific ideology.
All people thru all times have had an inherent and natural understanding of what they ought to do and what they ought not to do. Should one defer to the Holy Spirit we have a inspirational reason to the virtuous life, a good and chivalrous life.
I don't know how you talk about crassness in speech immediately after using the phrase "rawdog the day" lol
Reference to the current lingo about rawdogging a flight
Yeah I know, like the eternal lingo of using swear words