Virtue vs. Ideology

One of the early signs, among many, of a deteriorating democratic society is the conscious choice by a near majority of voters to embrace ideology over virtue.  Virtue is one of two foundations upon which a society should be built; otherwise, the society cannot endure the vagaries of human behavior.  Where there is no path, where there is no course, the traveler wanders aimlessly, completely ignorant of their desperation.  Absolutes are essential to an ordered and civilized society, and they can only be found in the virtues of mankind.

To be virtuous demands we discard the safety and protection of the herd.  It demands we stand alone, set apart and exposed to the worst mankind can inflict upon us.  This may appear to be a frightening and lonely place yet the opposite is true.  The best human qualities are revealed when we follow our hearts, when we deny our own needs if favor of living a virtuous life.  It is only then that we are empowered to stand firm in the face of adversity because we now fully understand and value who we really are.

The most difficult test of our virtue comes when we must choose between two competing choices where both have displayed undesirable qualities.  How do we choose one over the other?  I know what I would do but I won’t be so arrogant as to tell you how to choose.  I will say, you already know the answer if virtue will have any place in your legacy.