Fortitude

1. Outrage is a Weakness, Fortitude is Strength

Outrage is weakness. It is the muting of rational thinking and the triumph of emotion.

The Downside of Outrage. Crenshaw argues that outrage, while a natural human emotion, is ultimately unproductive and even harmful. It clouds judgment, fuels division, and prevents constructive problem-solving. The constant state of indignation promoted by media and political figures is a deliberate manipulation designed to control behavior.

The Power of Fortitude. Mental strength, or fortitude, is the ability to overcome emotional reactions and engage in rational thinking. It requires discipline, self-control, and a commitment to overcoming challenges rather than succumbing to them. Fortitude is not about suppressing emotions, but about mastering them.

An Alternative Path. Crenshaw proposes an alternative to outrage culture: a focus on personal responsibility, self-improvement, and a commitment to building a society of iron-tough individuals who can think for themselves. This requires actively hardening the mind and developing the mental strength to resist manipulation.

2. Choose Your Heroes Wisely

When we ask ourselves who we want to be, we are defining the character traits that we aspire to.

The Importance of Role Models. Heroes, whether real or fictional, provide examples of desirable character traits and behaviors. They help us visualize the kind of person we want to become and inspire us to strive for self-improvement. However, it's crucial to choose heroes based on virtue, not fleeting popularity or fame.

The Great Eight Traits. Allison and Goethals identify key heroic traits: smart, strong, selfless, caring, charismatic, resilient, reliable, and inspiring. These traits are not innate but can be cultivated through conscious effort and emulation.

The Danger of Wrong Heroes. Modern society often elevates figures who embody self-indulgence, anger, and victimhood. These "anti-heroes" promote a culture of complaint and resentment, undermining traditional values of grit, discipline, and personal responsibility.

3. Embrace Purpose, Reject Plan B

Failure becomes inevitable the moment it is embraced as a possibility. Once you have a Plan B, Plan A goes out the window.

The Power of Singular Focus. Having a "Plan B" implies a lack of commitment to the primary goal. It creates an escape route that makes it easier to give up when faced with challenges. A "No Plan B" mentality fosters perseverance, resilience, and a willingness to overcome obstacles.

Purpose as a Driving Force. A strong sense of purpose provides the motivation and direction needed to overcome adversity. It transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and makes it easier to stay focused on the ultimate goal.

Responsibility and Liberty. A "No Plan B" mentality is essential for responsible citizenship. It requires individuals to take ownership of their lives and contribute to society, rather than relying on others or succumbing to victimhood.

4. Cultivate Stillness Amidst Chaos

The mind which is free from passions is a citadel, for man has nothing more secure to which he can fly for refuge and for the future be inexpugnable.

Stoicism as a Tool for Mental Toughness. Drawing on the wisdom of Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, Crenshaw advocates for cultivating inner stillness and emotional control. This involves separating what is within our control (our thoughts and actions) from what is not (external events and the opinions of others).

The Stockdale Paradox. Admiral James Stockdale's experience as a POW in Vietnam demonstrates the power of Stoicism in the face of extreme adversity. He maintained faith in his eventual triumph while confronting the brutal reality of his situation.

Practical Applications. Cultivating stillness involves practicing mindfulness, delaying reactions, and questioning assumptions. It requires resisting the urge to engage in outrage and instead seeking understanding and perspective.

5. Sweat the Small Stuff, But Don't Let It Consume You

If you can’t get the small stuff right, you won’t get the big stuff right.

The Importance of Details. Paying attention to small details is not about being petty or obsessive, but about cultivating a habit of excellence. It's about building a foundation of discipline and attention to detail that can be applied to more significant challenges.

The Release Valve of Complaining. Allowing yourself to complain about minor inconveniences can be a healthy way to release pent-up frustration and prevent emotional explosions. However, it's crucial to do so with humor, self-awareness, and a sense of perspective.

The Balance of Focus. The key is to strike a balance between sweating the small stuff and not letting it consume you. It's about using minor annoyances as opportunities to practice self-control and develop a more resilient mindset.

6. Acknowledge Shame, But Don't Let It Define You

There can be no such thing as being the ‘victim’ of another. You can only be a ‘victim’ of yourself. It’s all in how you discipline your mind.

The Purpose of Shame. A healthy sense of shame is essential for personal accountability and moral growth. It motivates us to correct our mistakes, make amends, and strive to be better people. However, shame should not be weaponized or used to destroy others.

The Dangers of Shamelessness. In modern society, many public figures seem to lack a sense of shame, refusing to take responsibility for their actions and instead blaming external factors. This undermines trust and erodes the foundations of a virtuous society.

The Right Amount of Shame. The key is to find a balance between acknowledging wrongdoing and allowing it to define you. It requires humility, self-reflection, and a commitment to learning from mistakes.

7. Embrace Duty, Reject Entitlement

Every generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.

The Foundation of American Liberty. The American experiment is based on the principle of ordered liberty, which balances individual freedom with a sense of duty and responsibility. This requires citizens to act virtuously and contribute to the common good.

The Erosion of Duty. Modern society often promotes a sense of entitlement, where individuals expect others to provide for them and take responsibility for their problems. This undermines self-reliance, weakens communities, and erodes the foundations of American liberty.

Reclaiming a Sense of Duty. To combat this trend, Crenshaw calls for a renewed emphasis on personal responsibility, community involvement, and a commitment to serving others. This requires rejecting the victimhood mentality and embracing a sense of duty to something larger than oneself.

8. Seek Hardship, Find Meaning

I had many defensible reasons for bitterness and grievance after getting blown up and losing an eye. I chose not to be bitter.

The Transformative Power of Suffering. Hardship and adversity, when faced with the right mindset, can be powerful catalysts for personal growth. They build resilience, foster gratitude, and provide a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

The Importance of Self-Imposed Challenges. In a world that increasingly seeks to eliminate discomfort and risk, it's crucial to actively seek out challenges. This could involve physical exertion, intellectual pursuits, or acts of service.

The Benefits of Community. Engaging in difficult challenges with others can forge strong bonds and create a sense of shared purpose. This is why team-building exercises and group activities are often so effective.

9. Control Your Narrative, Control Your Destiny

If you buy the story that everything terrible just happened on its own, with no personal responsibility on the part of the victim, you deny that person all agency in the past (and, by implication, in the present and future, as well).

The Power of Storytelling. The stories we tell ourselves about our lives shape our perceptions, influence our actions, and ultimately determine our destiny. It's crucial to take control of our narrative and frame our experiences in a way that empowers us.

From Victim to Victor. Instead of focusing on what has been done to us, we should focus on how we have responded to adversity. This requires taking responsibility for our choices, learning from our mistakes, and striving to become better versions of ourselves.

The "I Have To" vs. "I Get To" Mindset. Shifting from a mindset of obligation to one of opportunity can transform our perspective on even the most challenging tasks. It's about recognizing the value and purpose in what we do, rather than simply viewing it as a burden.

10. Reclaim the American Story: Virtue, Not Victimhood

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

The Threat to the American Story. Modern outrage culture, with its emphasis on victimhood and identity politics, threatens to undermine the traditional American values of individual responsibility, self-reliance, and a commitment to the common good.

The Importance of Virtue. To reclaim the American story, we must reaffirm our commitment to virtue, not just as a personal ideal but as a societal imperative. This requires rejecting the notion that victimhood is a source of power and instead embracing the values of hard work, perseverance, and service.

A Call to Action. Crenshaw calls on Americans to resist the forces of division and embrace a shared sense of purpose. This requires actively engaging in civic life, promoting thoughtful discourse, and upholding the principles of liberty and justice for all.

Last updated: March 22, 2025