>>4809441Some thoughts on Stoic Virtues.
>Virtues For Better of Myself and the WorldVirtues are the attributes that I seek to cultivate in myself through habit, both for the betterment of myself and the world I live in. Living a life of virtue can be a challenge, while living a life of vice is easy. That alone is a signal to me of what is proper behavior. When I find myself tempted to take the easy path, I need to examine both the path and my motivation to ensure that I am making a virtuous choice.
>Self-RestrainI will live the virtue of self-restraint by reminding myself that my desires will lead me astray if I let them, by remembering the words of Seneca that vices can masquerade as virtues, especially pride. And to the extent that I do indulge my emotions, I desire to always remember the maxim of “restraint in all things”.
>BraveryThe virtue of bravery is one I will live by acting when action is called for and restraining myself when it is not. It is not bravery to take foolish risks, act without thought, take risks for the purpose of reward or recognition, or to do my duty. Bravery comes from overcoming my fear of harm to my physical or emotional self, and to take the actions that I believe are correct regardless of whether anyone is ever aware of them. Also, I will remember that what is called bravery today is in Latin “fortitudo”, and that true bravery is endurance and fortitude against adversity without complaint.
