SOMETIMES VIRTUE IS A GODDESS.
HERCULES’ CHOICE FOR VIRTUE OVER PLEASURE, AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU FRAME YOUR LIFE…
Sometimes virtue is a goddess. There’s a great story that comes down to us from Xenophon in the form of a Socratic dialogue. It is a story from the age of gods and heroes about what matters most. It goes something like this:
As Hercules grew to the age where gravity sets in along with the desire to live a great life, he fled the commotion of the city for the solitude of the wild. He went to the desert to meditate on what to do with his life.
During his contemplation, our hero lifted his eyes and sees two humans-writ large—two goddesses were approaching. One had a natural beauty and elegance, the other feigned to possess the same. The one was unblemished, modest, and white as snow; she had an elegance of soul. This is the goddess called Virtue (Ἀρετή). The other was painted in makeup adorned with cumbersome amounts of jewelry and her personality seemed self-obsessed and fixated on indulgence. This is the goddess called Vice (Κακία).
And so Virtue and Vice walk up to our hero, embodying the choice you have to make when you decide you want your life to truly matter. You can pursue character or pleasure, but it is not possible to have both. The goddesses each make their case to Hercules, why he should follow her.
Vice approaches Hercules first and said:
“My beloved Hercules, I find you are very much divided in your mind, upon the way of life that you should choose. Share my bed, and follow me— I will lead you into the possession of pleasure, and out of the reach of pain, and remove you from all the noise and din of the struggle of life. The affairs of neither peace nor war, shall have power to disturb you. Your entire goal shall be to make your life easy, and to entertain every sense with its proper gratifications. Sumptuous tables, beds of roses, clouds of perfumes, concerts of music, crowds of beauties, are all in ready to receive you. Come along with me into this land of delights, this world of pleasure, and swear off forever caring, pain, and work.”
Xenophon, Memorabilia 2.1
Then the goddess Virtue spoke:
“Hercules, I offer myself to you, because I know you are a son of the gods, and you have shown your lineage by your love of goodness and of intense study; proper for your age. This makes me hope you will gain, both for yourself and me, an immortal reputation. But, before I invite you into my society and friendship, I will be open and honest with you, that you must fully accept this truth: That there is nothing truly valuable which can be purchased without pains and labor. The gods have set a price upon every real and noble pleasure. If you would gain the favor of the Deity, you must be at the pains of worshiping him. if you would gain the friendship of good men, you must study to oblige them. If you would be honored by your country, you must take care to serve it. In short, if you would be eminent in war or peace, you must master all of good character that can make you so. These are the only terms and conditions upon which I can propose happiness.”
Xenophon, Memorabilia 2.1
Vice is offended and nearly cuts Virtue off to point out that by Lady Virtue’s own admission— her path of life is arduous and painful. The road to character is much harder.
Hercules considers his options and chose what was befitting of a hero, accepting that with moral progress comes some loss of pleasure.
There is no growth without suffering and no virtue without bridling vice.
You must make the same choice if you would gain virtue. In an age where the highest concern of many people is happiness, comfort, or hedonism you must follow a truer goddess: Virtue. Sometimes virtue is a goddess, and you must devote your character to her entirely if you wish to live a great life.
After all, Hercules is written in the stars not because of pleasure, but the greatness of his labors.