The Virtue Of Service To Others

I came across this article about Eric Greitens, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, who gave the commencement address recently at Tufts University.


It was this paragraph and quote that got my profound attention:

"He called students to think above and beyond their own dreams, their own desires, and to be strong. Aristotle called this megalopsychia, greatness of soul, and considered it one of the greatest moral virtues.  'What kind of service can I provide? What kind of positive difference can I make in the lives of others?' If you work every day to live an answer to that question, then you will be stronger.'"

To Aristotle, virtues of character are dispositions to act in certain ways in response to similar situations, the habits of behaving in a certain way. Thus, good conduct arises from habits that in turn can only be acquired by repeated action and correction, making ethics an intensely practical discipline.


Greitens told the students, "The more I thought about myself, the weaker I became.  The more I recognized that I was serving a purpose larger than myself, the stronger I became."


Become part of something bigger than yourself.....