Nobility Defined
I occasionally describe people as “noble.” What do I mean by it? In slogan form: “He would rather be wronged than do wrong.” The noble, as I use the term, hold themselves to exemplary standards of thought, word, and deed. Intellectually, they strive to be reasonable and fair at all times. They don’t seek excuses – like “My opponents did it first” – to be unreasonable or unfair. They apply my recommended remedies for purges and schisms to one and all. And on a deep level, they internalize my admonition against winning. In short, the noble are the puritanically praiseworthy – i.e., people who merit praise given my admittedly unforgiving standards.
None of this requires that the noble substantively agree with me. I have deep disagreements with several of the noblest people I know. And needless to say, people who agree with me on substance disappoint me every day.
The good news is that anyone can become noble. Starting now.
The post appeared first on Econlib.