Profile in Courage

The Roman statesman, lawyer, orator, and scholar Cicero was one of the most important figures of antiquity. While he translated many Greek philosophical works into Latin, wrote perhaps the best book on morals and ethics ever written, and was highly respected for his oratory skills, I most admire him for his courage. During a chaotic time in Rome’s history, Cicero risked his life over and over again to speak out for liberty and a free republic.

In 63 B.C., the demagogue Catiline attempted to overthrow Rome’s republic and install himself as dictator. Even though many in the government warned Cicero that he should not oppose Catiline, he put his country and constitution above his personal safety. Cicero worked to turn back the rebellion and restore Rome’s republic.

Cicero

Later, when Caesar rose to power, Cicero once again took a stand against Rome’s ruler. He believed that Caesar had enormous potential, but Cicero was convinced that Caesar’s lust for power was so immense he would sacrifice Rome’s liberty for his own selfish ambitions. Even though Caesar had the power to execute him, Cicero remained steadfast in his opposition and openly critical of the dictator’s abuses.   

Cicero was a man with an ethical and moral North Star. Guided by his values, he lived his entire life as a public servant of the people. Regardless of who was in power, he held the leader responsible for upholding the constitution and protecting the people’s liberty. By playing along with the powers that be, Cicero could have increased his own power and wealth, but he refused to sacrifice his integrity for personal gain.  

When Julius Caesar was assassinated and Marc Antony wormed his way into power, Cicero knew that Antony’s character, policies, and intentions would ultimately destroy the Roman republic. Once again, Cicero did not stay silent. In a series of speeches, called the Philippics, he attacked Antony as unworthy of his office. This time, though, the criticism cost Cicero his life and he was executed by Antony in 43 B.C. Even today Cicero’s oratory against a powerful ruler serves as an example of political courage.

There are many things to admire about Cicero, but what I most respect about the Roman statesman is his courage to stand up to tyrants and would-be dictators. When Caesar rose to power, Cicero could have retired to a quiet and comfortable life, far away from the tumultuous politics of Rome. He could have remained silent when Antony inveigled his way to power. He could have lived out his days in peace, but he valued his country more than his life. Cicero’s story is a profile in courage!

Americans admire courage. Before he was elected president, John F. Kennedy wrote Profiles in Courage where he combed through American history and praised the courage of eight great American patriots. Often times these political figures stood against their self-interest, risking political suicide, to do what was right. Like Cicero, they too are profiles in courage!

Kennedy knew first hand all about courage. During World War II, when his PT 109 boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, Lieutenant Kennedy played a key role in the survival of his crew. A person’s true character is revealed during times of upheaval. He, too, is a profile in courage!

The firemen who rushed into the World Trade Centers on the morning of September 11, 2001, knowing that they probably would never come out alive, are profiles in courage. Senator John McCain, who refused early release from a Viet Cong prisoner of war camp so that those who had been there longer could go home first, is another American example of courage. Whether you agree with his vote to uphold The Affordable Care Act, it, too, was an act of courage. He voted against the majority in his party because he believed that affordable health care was a right and not a privilege. That takes courage!

Regardless of which party one supports, these are troubling times in America when many of our citizens are concerned about the health of our democracy. Steven Levitsky, who teaches at Harvard and studies how democracies die, writes that our once healthy democracy has now fallen to the same level as the unhealthy democracies in such countries as Romania, Argentina, Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela.  

Steven Levitsky

Examples of our eroding democracy are plentiful. ICE agents, with masks, are arresting people indiscriminately and taking them to far off places without due process, a right guaranteed by our US Constitution. Institutions of higher learning are being blackmailed to either teach what the government demands or face harsh financial penalties. Law firms are also political targets. Accused of unethical conduct, they face severe penalties unless they capitulate to the government.

Furthermore, political enemies of the administration are baselessly being investigated merely because they oppose the administration’s policies. Instead of loyalty to the constitution, loyalty to a person has become the determining factor in proving one’s patriotism. There is a growing fear in America that to speak one’s mind, a right promised by our Founding Fathers, puts one at risk of being deported, incarcerated, sued, or fired. These kinds of actions are unprecedented in American history.

Not long ago, one of America’s premier cyberwarriors, Jen Easterly, who was director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency during the Biden administration, had her appointment for a teaching position at the U.S. Military Academy revoked. She was accused of being a Biden-era mole.

Jen Easterly

Easterly’s response to the accusation and her dismissal is telling. She writes, “As a lifelong independent, I’ve served our nation in peacetime and combat under Republican and Democratic administrations. I’ve led missions at home and abroad to protect all Americans from vicious terrorists….I’ve worked my entire career not as a partisan, but as a patriot—not in pursuit of power, but in service to the country I love and in loyalty to the Constitution I swore to protect and defend, against all enemies.”

In conclusion, she reminded the cadets at West Point, “Every member of the Long Gray Line knows the Cadet Prayer. It asks that we ‘choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.’ That line—so simple, yet so powerful—has been my North Star for more than three decades.”

That’s the kind of leader our government administration doesn’t want teaching at West Point?

We need citizens with courage in today’s crisis of government. Courageous politicians, university presidents, law firms, and ordinary people who will speak truth to power. Our democracy hangs in the balance.