The Stoics - particularly Roman Stoics - trained themselves to believe that maintaining the quality of their character, leading a life dedicated to virtue is of the highest value and nothing was worth compromising one's integrity. It's why Roman senator Cato committed suicide as a last act of protest rather than allow himself be captured by Julius Caesar and used as propaganda (See the excellent Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar for more on his life and conduct.) Cato was an inspiration to the founders of the United States, who attempted to emulate him in living a life of virtue.
I found myself thinking of the Stoics and their dedication to right conduct/character as the highest good as I read and finished Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission by Mark Leibovich. The rise and empowerment of Donald Trump was made possible by person after person who did not value their character and integrity highly. It was people who valued access to power, prestige, a high ranking job etc more than doing the right thing or standing up to someone they knew was a horrible, corrupt person. Lindsey Graham particularly stands out for setting apparently no value whatsoever on his personal integrity.
I believe what we're now seeing and facing is the reality that a democracy can't work if a substantial amount of citizens do not believe in the principles of democracy and do not set a high value upon being citizens of virtue.
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