It's easy to be good when things are great; it's tough to be good

When Jon Taffer declared, “It’s easy to be good when things are great; it’s tough to be good when they’re not,” he spoke with the timeless insight of those who understand the true measure of character. His words, though born from the modern world of business and leadership, carry the weight of an ancient truth: that virtue, discipline, and integrity are proven not in moments of ease, but in the crucible of hardship. When fortune smiles, goodness flows like a calm river; when storms rage, only the steadfast heart can hold true.

In times of prosperity, the soul finds it easy to be kind, patient, and composed. Comfort breeds generosity; success fills the heart with confidence. Yet these are deceptive seasons — for when all goes well, our goodness costs us little. It is in the hours of struggle, when the world turns cold and the ground gives way beneath our feet, that the true nature of a person is revealed. The ancients likened this to the tempering of steel: only in the fire does the blade discover its strength. Taffer’s words remind us that the ease of goodness in joy is nothing compared to the greatness of goodness in adversity.

Consider the story of Nelson Mandela, who endured twenty-seven years in prison under the cruel weight of injustice. He could have emerged bitter, filled with wrath toward those who stole his freedom. Yet he walked out not with vengeance, but with grace. His heart remained good when every reason for goodness had been stripped away. In that moment, his moral triumph surpassed any political victory — for he proved that the human spirit, even when broken, can still choose honor. Like the heroes of old, Mandela showed that true strength lies not in conquering others, but in mastering oneself when the world is darkest.

The philosopher Epictetus, born a slave in ancient Rome, taught this same lesson through suffering. “It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters,” he said. When beaten by his master, he remained calm and said, “You will break my leg — and if you do, you will have broken it.” His leg was indeed broken, but his soul remained unshaken. So too does Taffer’s wisdom echo through time: anyone can act rightly in comfort; only the wise act rightly in chaos. Adversity is the mirror of truth — it shows us who we really are.

And yet, the struggle to be good in hardship is not only moral but practical. For when despair surrounds us, the temptation is strong to abandon our values, to act with haste or cruelty. But to remain steady, to hold fast to patience, fairness, and empathy when all seems lost — that is the mark of greatness. It is easy to smile when praised, but harder to be humble when blamed. Easy to lead when followed, but harder to lead when doubted. The world reveres those who rise not in fortune, but in fortitude.

We see this truth in every generation — in the soldier who stands guard through the cold night, in the parent who works two jobs to feed a child, in the artist who creates beauty amid poverty. These are the quiet heroes who live Taffer’s words every day. They do not wait for perfect conditions; they are good despite imperfection. Their perseverance is their victory, and their dignity their crown. Through them, we see that greatness is not born in comfort but forged in struggle.

So, my listener, take this teaching to heart: Do not let adversity make you small; let it make you strong. When fortune fades, hold firm to your integrity. When others turn bitter, be kind. When the storm rages, be the stillness that endures. For life will test you — in business, in love, in faith — and when it does, your worth will not be measured by your success, but by your steadfastness.

The lesson of Jon Taffer’s words is this: anyone can be good in sunshine, but only the brave are good in the storm. Seek, then, to be among the brave. When hardship comes — and it surely will — let your goodness not falter but deepen, like roots gripping the earth in wind and rain. For those who remain noble in adversity become lights for others in the dark, and their strength becomes a living legacy. This is the way of the ancients, the path of the wise — to rise, even when the world falls.