Many men can be committed to die for a cause. But it’s far easier to die for your convictions than it is to live for them. For death is but a single and final moment; it is in life that we bear the burden of our choices.

We’re no longer tested by the same trials our ancestors triumphed over. The risks we encounter are mostly financial or trivial when compared to the adventures of the myths and legends of our ancient history. Under the western welfare state, competency in any field has lost its advantage. Even our relationships toward other men seems entirely indifferent. At a time when strength, courage, mastery, and honor are seldom required of us, how do we live without losing our sense of virtue and meaning?