THE COURAGE TO STAND ALONE

True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve of virtue and reason.

—PAUL WHITEHEAD

The rare kind of courage to be examined—willingness to stand alone—can be clarified by explaining courage in its more or less popular acceptance. Generally, courage is thought of as synonymous with physical valor, fearless when in great danger, such as a soldier “going over the top” in the face of enemy fire—undaunted!

EMPHASIZE THE POSITIVE

Action that is wholly against must lead to inaction as soon as it is successful.

—JACQUES BARZUN

It was 33 years ago, long before I had met and read the works of the brilliant Jacques Barzun, that I discovered how wholly ineffective it is just to be against politico-economic nonsense. In view of the fact that ever so many antisocialists are presently using this negative tactic, a sharing of my experiences seems appropriate.

THROUGH DARKNESS TO LIGHT

He who is so unjust as to do his brother injury can scarce be so just as to condemn himself for it.

—JOHN LOCKE

Locke’s brilliant observation brings a supporting thought to mind: “He sees enough who doth his darkness see.” It is obvious that any person who deals unfairly with others will never condemn himself for his own shortsightedness; so shrouded is he in darkness that his eyes do not see the light.

THE MYSTERY OF ATTRACTION

The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true.

—LACTANTIUS

IT’S HOW WE USE OUR LIBERTY

We are a free people. However. . . it is not from our privileges and liberties . . . but from the use we make of them, that our felicity is to be expected.

—JONATHAN MAYHEW

A WORD FROM THE WISE

Seek ye first truth and righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

—LUKE 12:31

Alexander the Great, 37

Amiel, Henri Frederic, 50, 74

Aristotle, 68, 147

Augustine (Saint), 162

Bach, J. S., 37

Bailey, Gamaliel, 167

Barzun, Jacques, 142-143

Bastiat, Frederic, 143, 144-146, 155, 170

Beecher, Henry Ward, 84, 161-162, 165

Beethoven, Ludwig, 37

Bovee, Christian N., 16, 168

Boyse, Samuel, 74

Bradford, William, 101-102

Bulwer-Lytton, Edward, 74, 84, 167

Burgess, John W., 90

Leonard E. Read, author of Conscience of the Majority, Government—An Ideal Concept, Miracle of the Market, Students of Liberty, Why Not Try Freedom?, Elements of Libertarian Leadership, Anything That’s Peaceful, The Free Market and Its Enemy, and other books and articles, is President of The Foundation for Economic Education, Inc., organized in 1946.