I agree with the general thrust that we ought to strive to cultivate virtuous citizens. American virtues do indeed entail risk-taking and we seem to be losing this.
Without some risk, there can be no progress. A rocket exploding over the Caribbean is a setback, yes, but also the identification of a failure mode. Every failure is one step closer to success.
People once understood that when Waylon and Willie sang “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys”, they meant the opposite. Today, far too many want their kids to be lawyers and such. Sad.
I’ve been going through some of your articles and have to say, I’m very impressed. This one is especially good. We need a virtue-centered spirit of liberty, liberty backed by virtue and order.
P.S. My political alignment is a moderate Jeffersonian with Federalist characteristics and a belief in Catholic Social Teaching.
I love this essay and agree with everything here. Raising generations with intention for the future and attention to the value of citizenship can only benefit the common good. For our grandson’s 13th birthday we gifted him, George Washington’s “Rules for Civility and Decent Behavior” along with a copy of the Constitution. We plan on doing the same for the other five (including Granddaughters) as they turn 13. He will be eighteen soon and has matured into a fine young man. I don’t know whether he has read from any of these books, but I know he kept them and hopefully will find value in owning them as he moves through his life. Even if it’s only that his grandparents wanted him to be as you say, “a virtuous citizen”.
Nice piece here.
I agree with the general thrust that we ought to strive to cultivate virtuous citizens. American virtues do indeed entail risk-taking and we seem to be losing this.
Without some risk, there can be no progress. A rocket exploding over the Caribbean is a setback, yes, but also the identification of a failure mode. Every failure is one step closer to success.
People once understood that when Waylon and Willie sang “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys”, they meant the opposite. Today, far too many want their kids to be lawyers and such. Sad.
I’ve been going through some of your articles and have to say, I’m very impressed. This one is especially good. We need a virtue-centered spirit of liberty, liberty backed by virtue and order.
P.S. My political alignment is a moderate Jeffersonian with Federalist characteristics and a belief in Catholic Social Teaching.
Thanks! I really appreciate that.
Benjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues are a useful foundation for building the American psyche.
I love this essay and agree with everything here. Raising generations with intention for the future and attention to the value of citizenship can only benefit the common good. For our grandson’s 13th birthday we gifted him, George Washington’s “Rules for Civility and Decent Behavior” along with a copy of the Constitution. We plan on doing the same for the other five (including Granddaughters) as they turn 13. He will be eighteen soon and has matured into a fine young man. I don’t know whether he has read from any of these books, but I know he kept them and hopefully will find value in owning them as he moves through his life. Even if it’s only that his grandparents wanted him to be as you say, “a virtuous citizen”.
https://www.amazon.com/Washingtons-Civility-Behavior-Company-Conversation/dp/155709103X
Thanks, Elizabeth. There's few people better to get advice from than George!
Some real wisdom here.
You should check it out and pass it on. All of America needs to read this and commit to it.