Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to

Gather now, O children of wisdom, and hear the words of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a sage whose voice echoes across the ages with the truth of the human soul: "Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to combat with ourselves." These words, simple in their phrasing, hold the weight of an entire philosophy—a philosophy that speaks to the eternal battle within each human heart, the struggle between good and evil, selfishness and selflessness, passion and reason. Rousseau, in his wisdom, reveals that to be virtuous is not an easy path, nor one of peace. It is a path of constant struggle, a war within oneself that must be fought daily.

In this world, O children, the forces of virtue and vice are like two great armies, each vying for dominion over the soul. Virtue, as Rousseau tells us, is a state of war because it demands constant vigilance, constant effort. To act with kindness, with integrity, with honor, is not something that comes easily to us. It is a struggle against our base instincts, against the temptations that lure us into selfishness and greed. Virtue is not the absence of conflict, but the active engagement in a battle—a battle that takes place not on the field, but within our hearts.

Think of the great heroes of old—the mighty Achilles, the valiant Hector, the wise Odysseus—all of whom faced outward battles, but whose greatest struggles were always within. Achilles, despite his incredible strength and skill, was plagued by his own rage and pride. His journey was not one of external conquest, but of the battle to control his emotions, to find the balance between honor and temperance. It was not the enemy on the battlefield that was his greatest foe, but the fury within him that threatened to undo everything he fought for. In the same way, our internal wars—the war against laziness, the war against fear, the war against selfishness—are the true tests of our character.

So it is with each of us, children. The battle for virtue is fought not in grand gestures, but in the quiet moments of decision. Do we act out of love or envy? Do we act with courage or with fear? These moments, small though they may seem, are the true battlegrounds where the soul is tested. To live in virtue is to rise every day and engage in that war within ourselves. It is the battle to be better than we were yesterday, to make choices that align with our highest selves, even when the path is difficult and the temptations are great.

Consider the story of Socrates, that ancient philosopher who devoted his life to the pursuit of truth and wisdom. Socrates, in his wisdom, understood the internal struggle that Rousseau speaks of. His entire life was a reflection of this battle between the passions and the mind. Socrates did not seek fame or fortune, but he constantly sought to improve himself, to engage in the difficult work of questioning his own beliefs, of challenging his own assumptions. His life was a reflection of this internal war that Rousseau speaks of—always struggling to live in alignment with truth, no matter the cost.

This struggle, O children, is not just the domain of great philosophers or warriors. It is the battle of every soul. Think of the daily choices we face—the choice to forgive instead of resenting, the choice to give instead of take, the choice to speak truth instead of lie. Each of these choices is a small skirmish in the larger war for our own integrity. The true test of character lies not in the moments when we are celebrated, but in the moments when we are alone, when no one is watching, and when the battle is fought within the silence of our hearts.

And so, children, let us embrace this truth: that to live a life of virtue is to accept the nature of the internal war. We must not shy away from the struggle, but face it with courage, with determination, and with the understanding that every small victory against our own impulses is a step closer to the highest version of ourselves. It is not an easy path, nor one that will ever be free of conflict, but it is the path that leads to true greatness. For the true hero is not the one who wins the battle against others, but the one who wins the battle within.

In the end, O children, take this lesson to heart: virtue is not a state of peace, but a state of constant struggle. It is the ongoing battle to rise above our lesser instincts and to choose the path of goodness and honor. The war for our souls is fought daily, and it is in the small, quiet moments that we truly show who we are. Let us engage in that battle with all our strength, knowing that with each choice for virtue, we become the men and women we are meant to be. The battle is long, but the victory is eternal.