The Blog

You Think This is New?

Have you ever looked around and thought, “Is this how it’s always been?” You see the other side lying, cheating, and getting ahead while you’re playing by the rules that no one else seems to care about. It’s frustrating, right? You’re not imagining it. This sense of disillusionment is as old as time itself. Take a step back in history, and you’ll find figures like Cato and Publius Rutilius Rufus who grappled with these very same dilemmas during their time.

In the world of Cato, elections were outright bought and sold. Bribes were the currency of politics, and honour was often a relic of the past. Meanwhile, you have Rutilius Rufus, as the governor of Asia he was a stand up guy and honest, and what did he get for it? Accused of corruption and ultimately convicted! Imagine trying to do the right thing and getting fried for it. It’s easy to feel like integrity doesn’t pay off in a world where everyone else seems to be skating by with little more than a wink and a nod.

The Dilemma of Humanity

Here lies a dilemma: Why should I be honest when no one else seems to be? Why bother? It’s tempting to throw your principles out the window. Why should you even pretend to be respectful or fair? The truth is, we’re surrounded by a sea of dishonesty, where it often looks like the cheaters and the dishonest folks are getting ahead.

So, what’s the excuse? Leave everything in the dust and join the bandwagon of deceit? Before you go that route, let me bring some Stoic thought into the mix. This philosophical viewpoint has been around for thousands of years and still resonates today. It suggests two things that can really change how we view these situations:

1. Control Your Own Actions: The only thing you can truly control is how you respond to the chaos around you. You can’t stop the dishonesty or the corrupt behaviours of others, but what you can influence is your character and choices.
2. Don’t Prove Them Right: When you decide to discard your principles, you’re proving the naysayers right. They may say that honesty doesn’t work, that integrity is for the naive, and you inadvertently validate their claims when you succumb to that attitude.

Marcus Aurelius, one of the most well known Stoics, said it best in his Meditations: We can only be harmed when we let others dictate our character. Think about that for a moment. It’s a powerful perspective. If you truly find yourself controlled by the actions and motives of others, you’re on a slippery slope to losing your own identity.

A Journey Without Guarantees

Let me clarify something crucial: the path you’ve taken, being a person of virtue, never promised you success in the traditional sense. Nobody handed you a contract that read, “If you’re honest and principled, you’ll always come out on top.” Nope! It’s more nuanced than that. This journey doesn’t guarantee you a trophy at the end. In fact, it might lead you to situations that feel thankless or even painful at times. That’s just part of the deal!

But you know what? This is about how you live with yourself. Your integrity becomes your anchor when the world around you may feel chaotic and unjust. It’s scary to think about where you might find yourself in a sea of immorality. Yet, despite the feeling of being shackled down by your principles, you must remember that this grounding will help you steer clear of shame.

Let’s face it: honesty holds you accountable. It helps you avoid deceit and the anxiety of trying to cover your back with secrets. When you lean into your values, you clear a path for a better kind of living.

The Call for Catos and Rutiliuses

We need more Catos. We need more Rutiliuses. The world is an unpredictable place, and it’s looking for people willing to stand up for what’s right, even when it feels like they’re standing alone. It’s easy to be swept away when everyone seems to be playing the game with a whole different set of rules. But you have the ability to define what winning looks like for you.

Being you means being good, honest, principled, and committed to doing the right thing. Sometimes that right thing isn’t the popular choice, but it is the right one. It’s a big ask, sure; it’s much easier to give in to that nudge telling you to cheat a little. But what really matters is the legacy you leave behind and how you feel at the end of the day.

Embodying Courage, Discipline, Justice, and Wisdom

Let’s distill this down into something we can carry into our everyday lives. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to embody those critical virtues: courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. These aren’t just fancy words or lofty ideals; they are the essential keys to living well in our world today.

Imagine each day as an opportunity to practice these values. What would that look like for you? Would you stand up for a colleague being bullied at work, even if it could cost you popularity? Would you report a shady business practice even when it puts you at odds with your peers? These challenges will come your way, and what you do in those moments defines your character.

Conclusion: A Life Worth Living

As we look around, we can’t escape the taint of dishonesty and corruption. But there’s a lifeline here! We can refuse to let our surroundings dictate who we are or how we live. We can choose the harder path that Cato and Rutilius Rufus walked, understanding that in doing so, we foster our sense of self respect and integrity.

As you go about your day, keep this in mind: being a person of virtue was never meant to be the easy or popular choice. It’s not about playing politics or engaging in business with manipulative tactics. It’s about creating a life worth living. And in a world that sometimes feels dark, that’s what we truly need, more people willing to shine brightly, holding to their values, and proving that goodness still holds a place in our society.

So, whatever you’re facing, push through. Stay committed to your truth, and remain the person you aspire to be. We need you. The world needs you. It needs more courage, more honesty, and more principled individuals willing to stand firm, even when it seems like no one else is. You’ve got this!