If, at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, truth, self-control, courage—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed.
—Marcus Aurelius
Aristotle worshipped them. The Christians and Stoics too. In the West, we call them the “cardinal virtues”—from the Latin word cardo, which means “hinge.” These are the virtues upon which the good life hinges. These are the virtues that every parent is obligated to teach their children: Courage: To stand up. To charge ahead. To not be afraid or timid in life.
Moderation: To know balance. To be in control of oneself. To avoid excess or extremes.
Justice: To do the right thing. To care for others. To do your duty. Wisdom: To learn. To study. To keep an open mind.
Those are the four essential tenets for living.
As a parent, you must worship these virtues . . . and raise kids who do the same. You have to model these virtues and teach them—by example and by instruction—how they can too. Their life—and the future—hinges on it.