C.S. Lewis wrote “We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”
What did Lewis mean by “men without chests”? These are men (and women!) who only operate with a brain stem, just primal functioning, lacking thinking, discernment, wisdom, or self-control. They’re completely selfish. They’re fearful, avoiding even the slightest pain or discomfort. They lack conviction or principles. They have no heart. They’re quick to sacrifice all their real freedoms for temporary pleasures.
A college student gives up his right to express himself so that no one can accuse them of “micro-aggression.” No chest.
The manager continues to pass along what she knows are lies to her employees, to avoid any scenario where they might lose their bonus. No chest.
The politician uses “that’s the way our system works” to excuse a decision he never would have accepted before he was elected. No chest.
Parents continue to rescue their adult children from the consequences of every bad decision they make. No chest.
The unemployed man steals from the local gas station thinking “It’s not my fault, I don’t have a choice.” No chest.
The retired man sits in his BarcoLounger watching TV to pass the day, health worsening, wasting his ability to help someone, anyone. No chest.
We need men and women with chests. They can’t be manufactured or cloned, they must be produced one person at a time. You don’t inherit a chest; it must be earned.
Consider your situation. Yesterday is done. Choose today to be a man or woman with a chest. Cultivate responsibility, honor, depth, and self-control.
