Courage relies on petites actions - small steps that incite courage in others, and then, as more people stand up, those are what swell into the grand movements we read about.

Apathy is the socially acceptable version of despair. that is the ultimate betrayal of the virtue. Not caring about what is right, about others, about yourself. The opposite of courage is not fear, but apathy.Our definition of virtue is colored by the grand gestures we see in movies and read about in history. Less of a big idea and more of an overarching theme was Holiday's attempt to redefine what courage actually looks like in the day-to-day human experience. We can choose what we believe to be possible and then act accordingly.Īnd we'll likely be surprised once we do. Courage is remembering that we have the agency to choose our own effective truths. Only later did he challenge it and overcome Gawker in an incredible series of events.Īs Henry Ford puts it, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right.' That is the essence of an effective truth.

For example, when Thiel, one of the richest and most well-connected men in the world, was told he could do nothing about the Gawker situation, he accepted that as the case and did nothing - making it an effective truth. One of my favorite concepts from the book is an idea Holiday borrows from Peter Thiel: effective truths.Įffective truths are beliefs we adopt as our own and act upon, regardless of how true they may actually be.

Wisdom: How can we stir individuals to prioritize truth and depth over what's fleeting?Īs a classicist and humanist, I can appreciate a modern take on these values.

Justice: How can we restore feelings of fellowship and a desire for service in everyday people?.Temperance: How can we apply moderation to our consumption and rebalance our world?.Courage: How can we be brave and inspire others to stand up for what is right?.Each virtue brings along with it a way to improve the world we live in. The author's goal is to help fill the gap he sees in society: one dominated by virtueless values. For simplicity's sake, I will only include the section titles.īig ideas Courage, temperance, justice, wisdom.Ĭourage is Calling is the first book of Holiday's new 4-part series on the cardinal virtues. It includes some 60 chapters across 3 different sections. Table of contentsĪs all of Ryan Holiday's books, this book is filled with short, digestible chapters. Thank you for your support!ġ-sentence summary: Courage is the small, right choice you make for the benefit of others. As a reader-supported publication, when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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