Journal 61: Mystery of Heroism

Some people argue that to be a hero one must achieve heroic deeds; Others, however, argue that to be a hero, achieving heroic deeds isn't the only thing, it might not even be the most important thing. The most important thing about a hero is that the hero is has innate heroic qualities, lots of virtues and little vice. Some people would go all the way to the extreme that a hero is all good and no vice at all. However, that would limit heroes to fictional characters because no one is all good and no all is all full of virtue and no vice. A realistic hero is one with both virtues and vice; the virtuous part of the hero does not have to be overwhelmingly characterizing of the hero but the hero must, according to his virtues, do the heroic deed in spite of his personal dilemma. To be a hero, vice is necessary, I would say. This is because only through vice and conquering one's own flaw can heroic qualities truly show. I don't think a person that is 100% selfless that sacrificed for others is the best hero and the most heroic. I think the ones that are tormented by his vice and evil thoughts that later overcome his own moral compass and dilemma that in the end does heroic deed despite his own interest is a real hero. He not only did heroic deeds for the good for other, but he also conquered the bad in himself.