day no. 17,275: manly character

“Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.” ― Robert E. Lee

A man is not an island and any man who strives to be seen as a lone wolf is not a good man. He may be good at getting his way, but he does not possess the character of a man as much as he has the disposition of a boy. He throws his tantrums with muscles and lawsuits. He does to people what a three year old would if they had the resources (and with just as much sense).

Matthew 8:8-10

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

The centurion was a good and godly man because he both commanded respect from others and respected the commands of his superiors. Men hopped to when he talked because he hopped to when his boss talked. The kind of man who gladly obeys his master is the kind of man who can humbly lead others. 

A man cannot be an authority until he is under authority. He can be a boy and try to take short cuts, but he will not have authority. He may be feared and obeyed, but he cannot be respected by conducting his business that way.

Manly character is not just a matter of being in charge, it is a matter of being under authority.