Someone said, Weak men always want to be liked, or at least avoid even necessary conflict when important principles are at stake. Conflict, whether with their nation’s or church’s decisions, or their co-workers, wives (especially!) and children must not embarrass them.
A strong man on the other hand wants to love, to prefer the true Good of the other as St. Thomas said, not necessarily always be liked. These are not necessarily the same things. He is secure in himself and his abilities, knows his worth, and doesn’t seek the validation of others. He teaches his children and shares The Faith with his friends, the Faith that has sustained countless generations before the children were ever born.
A strong man is often gentle and is not ashamed to wait on, bathe, or wipe a sick man’s ass, and give to the poor as often as he can out of the little that he has. He seeks opportunities to do so.
He loves his wife and constantly treats her with the utmost private and public affection always, and is ever respectful of her opinions.
He is confident in his decisions, comfortable with who he is, and able to handle criticism and setbacks, even scorn and ostracization (20+ years of it as one man I know has suffered). With joy he encourages his children in the Good when they haven’t reached their legal age of maturity; but he refuses to coddle them when they misbehave as adults. He is a wall against disrespect, illicit drugs, imbecilic conformity to the times, knowing that constant need for validation can make a man vulnerable to manipulation and abuse by others.
On the other hand, as another has said, a weak man is easily threatened by others and is quick to change himself to fit in and avoid conflict. He lacks the confidence to be his true self and instead, tries to be what others want him to be. He wants to be more charming than good.
When a man is insecure, he is constantly seeking validation and reassurance from others. He equates money with “success” and authority. For an insecure man, the opinions of others hold immense power and influence over his sense of self-worth and identity. And, of Course, his wife and children rule the roost, as in the wider political world around them.
Stephen Hand
