Manvotional: A Father’s Advice From Hamlet
November 9, 2008
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William Shakespeare’s words speak across generations and cultures. In this scene, Polonius gives a bit of fatherly advice to his son Laertes before he heads off to France. While all the advice is good, the best doesn’t come until the end- “To thine own self be true.” Be a man of honor and integrity. Live life in a way that allows you to look at yourself in the mirror and not be ashamed.
Manvotional: Lord Chesterfield on the Art of Gentlemanly Conversation
November 1, 2008
Phillip Stranhope, better known as Lord Chesterfield, was a British statesman and and man of letters. While his son was attending Westminster School, Lord Chesterfield wrote a series of letters giving advice to his on becoming a man and, more importantly, a gentleman. In this letter dated October 16, 1747, Lord Chesterfield counsels his son the art of gentlemanly conversation.
Manvotional: The American Boy by Theodore Roosevelt
October 19, 2008
In a speech, Roosevelt extolled the manly virtues that every boy and man should develop: hard work, courage, and a disposition to do good. The lack of men of character in the world today makes this speech relevant even today. As fathers or mentors, let us seek to raise up a generation of boys like the one TR describes. As men, let us seek to develop these traits ourselves.
What we have a right to expect of the American boy is that he shall turn out to be a good American man.
The boy can best become a good man by being a good boy–not a goody-goody boy, but just a plain good boy.
I do not mean that he must love only the negative virtues; I mean that he must love the positive virtues also. ‘Good,’ in the largest sense, should include whatever is fine, straightforward, clean, brave and manly.
The best boys I know–the best men I know–are good at their studies or their business, fearless and stalwart, hated and feared by all that is wicked and depraved, incapable of submitting to wrongdoing, and equally incapable of being aught but tender to the weak and helpless.
Of course the effect that a thoroughly manly, thoroughly straight and upright boy can have upon the companions of his own age, and upon those who are younger, is incalculable.
If he is not thoroughly manly, then they will not respect him, and his good qualities will count for but little; while, of course, if he is mean, cruel, or wicked, then his physical strength and force of mind merely make him so much the more objectionable a member of society.
He can not do good work if he is not strong and does not try with his whole heart and soul to count in any contest; and his strength will be a curse to himself and to every one else if he does not have a thorough command over himself and over his own evil passions, and if he does not use his strength on the side of decency, justice and fair dealing.
In short, in life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard: don’t foul and don’t shirk, but hit the line hard.
Manvotional: Of Studies by Francis Bacon
October 11, 2008
Every man should value lifelong learning. Sadly, many men today have put the things of the mind on the back burner. Learning is often viewed as “nerdy” or “not manly.” Hogwash! Many of history’s manliest men were some of its smartest, and they greatly valued the pursuit of knowledge. Teddy Roosevelt devoured thousands of books and wrote a few dozen during his life. Alexander the Great was one of Aristotle’s best students.
In this short essay, Francis Bacon discusses the importance of study in one’s life. If you’re in school, this can be a great motivator to hit the books. If you’re not in school, it’s a reminder that learning should continue outside the walls of the classroom. If you want to be a true Renaissance Man, start writing, read a book (we have some good suggestions), or visit a museum. The benefits of life long study will enrich your life both materially and spiritually.
Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley
October 5, 2008
We all face challenges in our lives. What separates men of character from spineless wieners is the way they face those challenges. In the poem “Invictus,” British poet William Ernest Henley describes how a man should respond to challenges. “Invictus” is Latin for “unconquerable.” Every man should have an unconquerable spirit. When life kicks you in the gut, get back up and kick life’s butt.
The poet himself had the unconquerable spirit which he wrote about. When he was 12, Henley developed tuberculous in the bone. He had to have his leg amputated to the knee and doctors told him he would have to have the other one amputated if he were to survive. Henley told the docs that they were full of hogwash and let them amputate just one leg. He ended up keeping the other. He led an active life with one leg and had a successful career as a poet and literary critic. Henley was truly the captain of his soul.
Manvotional #4: Spend Some Time With Nature
September 27, 2008
Image by Softypapa
We’ve written before on the importance of spending time with Mother Nature. The modern man’s life with all it’s stress, expectations, and constraints can suffocate your man spirit and extinguish your vim and vigor. In this excerpt from Albert Jeremiah Beveridge’s The Young Man and the World, we’re reminded how Nature can help restore our physical and spiritual strength. With the weather cooling and the leaves turning, now is a great time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.
Manvotional #3: Adversity Molds the Great Man
September 20, 2008
It is in times of turmoil and strife that true manliness is shown. A life without adversity makes a man weak, dull, and effeminate. In his essay, On Providence, the Roman philosopher Seneca discuses the importance of adversity in shaping a man’s life. According to Seneca, it is only through adversity that the Great Man can be created. Theodore Roosevelt understood this principle. It was the basis of his philosophy of the strenuous life. My generation has grown up in a time of unprecedented peace and affluence. Consequently, we’ve become wussified man-children. If we really want to know what we’re made of, we must be tested. If you wish to be a great man, avoid the life of ignoble ease and take on difficult tasks.
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Manvotional #2: We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Brothers
September 13, 2008
Knowing how to inspire and lead others is an essential manly attribute. In Shakespeare’s Henry V, King Henry exemplifies manliness in action as he rallies his army against the highly skilled French knights. In his “Saint Crispin’s Day” speech, Henry V speaks of glory, honor, and brotherhood- all ideals that inspire even the most despairing and downtrodden of men. Read this fictional, and yet powerful speech when you’re feeling unmotivated and depressed. It will stir you to focus on the legacy you are building and will pass on to your sons and to history.
Manvotional #1: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
September 6, 2008
Editor’s Note: Great men before us have penned poems, letters, and essays on what it means to be a man. We want to share with you some of these writings each Sunday in a series called Manvotionals. Each Sunday, we’ll post a short poem, essay, or letter that inspires men to be better men. We’ll look at writings from great men like Shakespeare, Aristotle, and Churchill to see what they said about being men of virtue, honor, and valor. So each week we invite you to grab a mug of coffee, pull up a chair, and immerse yourself in the lost art of manliness.
How do you know when you become a man? Is it when you win your first fight? When you get married? Have kids? “If,” written by manly writer Rudyard Kipling, is an amazingly insightful poem on the attributes of what makes a man a man. Becoming a man isn’t just one event, but rather a series of attributes developed over a lifetime. If only more men desired to obtain these characteristics, the world would be a much better place.
