"Feelings" and "Virtues"

What do goodness, courage and discipline have in common?

Behaving against inclination.

That's hard.

That's what makes them VIRTUES.

If you never have a bad thought, you can't be good.
If you never have fear, you can't be brave.
If you never want to skip your workouts or homework or sensible diet, you aren't disciplined.

There is no sin or shame or virtue in what we feel, only in what we do.

And we don't get spiritual credit for any actions that arise naturally from inclination...only for those that don't.

Feeling lust is not the same as adultery. Feeling avarice is not the same as stealing. Feeling murderous is not the same as murder.

Feelings are what we're stuck with willy-nilly. Behavior is what we consciously choose.

The Gunslinger