Own what you do, no excuses
Own your actions—period. You control your choices, not the world. Stop pretending you can fix everything, but don’t shrug off your impact on others. Virtue means acting well, even when chaos hits. Be accountable for what you can change, and own the ripples you create.
- Overplay: Trying to control everything.
- Shortfall: Blaming the world for your impact.
- On point: Handle what’s yours, acknowledge the ripples.
Thinkers: Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Confucius, Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Stand tall, bend when needed
Stick to your values. The path may shift, but your compass shouldn’t. Engage. Don’t sit back and let wrongs pile up because you’re waiting for the perfect answer or for someone else to step in on your behalf.
- Overplay: Blind stubborness.
- Shortfall: Letting injustice slide.
- On point: Stand firm, but stay open to nuance.
Thinkers: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Aristotle, John Stuart Mill.
Assume good, but don’t be fooled
See the good in people without being naive. Most aren’t villains, just flawed like you. Respect and trust create a better world, but keep your boundaries intact.
- Overplay: Blind trust.
- Shortfall: Distrust and cynicism.
- On point: Respect the good, but protect yourself.
Thinkers: Albert Schweitzer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Mencius, Dalai Lama.