A courageous contradiction

Yesterday, I shared a quote from C.S. Lewis about fortitude. Today, we hear from another great mind — G.K. Chesterton — who offers this striking definition:

“Fortitude is a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die.”

It’s a paradox — and yet, it captures something profoundly true.

Chesterton points to the delicate balance at the heart of every virtue. In the heat of battle, he says, an excessive clinging to life can lead to cowardice and hesitation — mistakes that cost more than courage. But at the same time, reckless abandon, without any regard for life, can become self-destructive.

Virtue lives in the balance. Not too far to the left or the right. Not too little — and not too much.

Most of us aren’t standing on a battlefield. But we are called, every day, to choose courage, discipline, patience, humility, faith. And for each of those, the danger isn’t just failure — it’s imbalance.

So take a moment today to reflect:
What virtue do you most need in this season of life?

Now ask: What are the two extremes — the vices — on either side of that virtue?
Where’s the middle ground where God is calling you to grow?

Because holiness isn’t found in the extremes.
It’s found in that courageous, faithful, often quiet middle — where virtue lives.