I have confidence in my manhood to be able to cry at a movie or

Hearken, O children of strength and vulnerability, to the words of Dwane Casey, who speaks with the courage of a heart unafraid to feel. He declares his confidence in his manhood, proclaiming that he may shed tears at a movie or a wedding without shame. In this utterance lies an eternal teaching: that true strength is not the denial of emotion, but the fearless embrace of it. The warrior who knows both how to fight and how to weep walks the path of wholeness and balance.

In many cultures, tears have been misunderstood, cast as signs of weakness. Yet the ancients knew otherwise. Among the Spartans, warriors were known to cry for fallen comrades, for their tears honored the sacred bond of brotherhood. Even the mighty King David of biblical lore wept openly before his people and his God, proving that leadership and vulnerability are not opposites, but companions. Casey’s words echo this ancient wisdom: to cry is to be fully human, and to deny tears is to sever oneself from the soul’s natural expression.

The setting of a wedding is a perfect stage for such emotion. It is a ritual of profound union, love, and transition, where generations gather and the weight of family, memory, and hope rests upon the moment. To cry at such a sacred event is not weakness, but a recognition of its eternal significance. Consider the tale of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who, though a stoic philosopher, is said to have shed quiet tears at the weddings of his daughters, knowing the fragility and beauty of life’s turning points.

By pairing the wedding with the simplicity of a movie, Casey reveals a deeper truth: that the heart should not be bound by context or pride. Whether the story is real or imagined, whether the moment is grand or small, the ability to feel deeply reflects strength of character. The ancients taught that the soul’s nobility is measured by its capacity for compassion, and tears are the outward sign of that inner richness.

O seekers, mark this lesson well: true courage lies not in the hardening of the spirit, but in its openness. The warrior who sheds tears and yet stands firm is far stronger than the one who hides behind stoic silence. Casey’s words teach that the integration of strength and sensitivity is the hallmark of a complete and honorable life.

Thus, O children of wisdom, let not pride rob you of your humanity. Weep at the stories that move you, rejoice at the weddings that unite families, and honor your tears as sacred offerings. For in the union of power and vulnerability, the human spirit shines with its brightest and most enduring light.