Are You a Good Man?

In the motion picture, Outlaw King, the Bruce, a self-proclaimed king of Scotland, is approached by a warrior who wishes to give his life to cause of winning back the country from the English. The warrior only desired an answer to one question before giving up everything. He asked the King, “Are you a good man?” 

Life is more than just eating, breathing, sleeping, and propagating one’s DNA to the next generation. That much is obvious. What’s less obvious is how one should live.

Out of the billions of people who have lived, less than 1% of 1% are remembered, after they die, beyond their immediate family and friends. There are more mythical characters that are spoken of than real people throughout history. Indeed, if there are stories of actual people in history they often become mythicized. This is also known as Euhemerism. Think of Achilles, Odin, the Buddha, Jesus, and Mahamad.

What is it about fictional characters that embed their stories in our hearts and minds?

We see their flaws and their goodness and those flaws and goodness are a reflection of our selves.

The Bruce responded to the worrier in seven simple words “I’m trying to be a good man.” That was good enough to devote one’s life to the cause. 

The Stoics, whose lives and words achieved a certain level mythical status, taught that the greatest pursuit in life is a life dedicated to acquiring virtue and wisdom. 

In more simple terms, a life dedicated to trying to be a good person.

If ever faced with the question of “Are you a good man/woman/child” may it be that your answer can be “I’m trying to be.”