Peter Jones

The ancients were defined by actions, not attributes

[iStock] 
issue 23 January 2021

Diversity is ‘about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education and national origin’. If this means making their differences the most important thing about them, it fails to answer the question about what such empowering will enable them to do. A famous story about Heracles illustrates ancient priorities.

He was on the cusp of manhood and wondering what path in life to take. Vice and Virtue approached him and made their different pitches. Vice (‘but friends call me “Happiness”’) offered a life of endless pleasure, Virtue something very different. ‘Men will get no fine or noble outcomes from the gods without hard work and application… if you desire to be honoured by the state, you must help that state; if you expect to be revered for your admirable qualities by Greeks, you must try to benefit Greece; if you want your land to produce in abundance, you must look after your land; if you expect to profit from your livestock, you must take care of your livestock; if you have an urge to extend your influence by war, and to liberate your friends and master your enemies, you must both learn the arts of war from those who understand them, and practise how to implement them effectively.

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