Finding the Virtuous in Troubled Times

Reading the news, we’re likely to despair of finding good people who inspire through example. But they exist—people like John Woolman, Oskar Schindler, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, the Dalai Lama, and Pope Francis. This morning, I was reminded of this in reading Marcus Aurelius’ observation:

“When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one’s energy, that one’s modesty, another’s generosity, and so on. Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we’re practically showered with them. It’s good to keep this in mind” (Meditations, Book 6).

As my favorite journalist, Nicholas Kristof, writes in his superb memoir, Chasing Hope, “I’ve interviewed warlords and terrorists, but the people who have left the deepest impression are the saints who give their all to make this a better world”

—rj

Author: RJ

Retired English prof (Ph. D., UNC), who likes to garden, blog, pursue languages (especially Spanish) and to share in serious discussion on vital issues such as global warming, the role of government, energy alternatives, etc. Am a vegan and, yes, a tree hugger enthusiastically. If you write me, I'll answer. View all posts by RJ