The Way of Men

by Jack Donovan

Strength is the ability to exert one’s will over oneself, over nature and over other people.

Courage implies a risk. It implies a potential for failure or the presence of danger. Courage is measured against danger. The greater the danger, the greater the courage. Running into a burning building beats telling off your boss. Telling off your boss is more courageous than writing a really

mean anonymous note. Acts without meaningful consequences require little courage.

The goal of civilization seems to be to eliminate work and risk, but the world has changed more than we have. Our bodies crave work and sex, our minds crave risk and conflict.