Most people aren’t in control of their emotions. They give in to rage on a daily basis. You only need to spend a little time cruising the roads and highways near where you live to see this. One who can, as Kipling said, keep their head while all around them are losing theirs, is held […]

Aristotle doesn’t linger too long on the virtue of ambition. In fact, he finds it hard to designate an actual word to what the virtue and vices are. This virtue comes down to having the right amounts and correct kind of ambition. Having too much ambition can be a vice. Similarly, having no ambition or […]

Pride is one of those virtues that is falsely positioned in the court of common opinion as a vice. We’ve all heard the saying ‘pride comes before the fall’ (which comes from the Bible’s ‘pride goeth before destruction’). But I put it to you, and Aristotle argues, that the “pride” most people disdain is not […]

Magnificence is one of those virtues that few people know about. Ask anyone to name a handful of virtues and even those who have no idea about Aristotle will likely say “truthfulness”, “courage”, and “generosity” pretty quickly. But magnificence? What the hell is that? And explaining this virtue to people often doesn’t make it any […]

Virtues don’t develop in a vacuum. Living the virtuous lifestyle means being a positive force in the world. You’ll see that this week as we concentrate on the virtue of generosity (also known as liberality.) Generosity, or liberality, is the mean when it comes to wealth, which is defined as anything that has its value […]

Temperance isn’t sexy. Everywhere you look – adverts, Instagram, TV – you’ll see people doing the YOLO lifestyle. Not giving a fuck is cool. Saying “fuck it” and downing ten flaming jagerbombs is cool. Hopping on Tinder and setting up three Netflix-and-chills for the week is cool. Living without restraint is rock and roll, baby. […]

Is there a more praiseworthy virtue than courage?  When you think of the archetypes that inspire respect, courage is inextricably attached. Think of protectors. In real life: firemen, police, soldiers. In the movies, we pay to watch Batman, James Bond, and countless other vigilantes risk their lives and put themselves in danger for the common […]