Far from making him appear “sissy,” an appreciation of beauty is essential to channeling a man’s natural inclinations into supporting vital social goals and making him a better man, says Jared Silvey:
This stronger inclination to fighting is not, in itself, automatically directed to either good or evil. It has the potential to go either way. It can be directed to good, as in the case of fighting to defend one’s country against unjust aggression, or to evil, as in the cases of murder, rape, and other acts of unjust violence.
Beauty here enters the picture by helping to direct this male inclination to aggression and fighting to a worthy end. This is because real beauty is always found wherever there is truth and goodness, and it strengthens the attraction these other two values exert on the human person. It moves a man to defend whatever is good and true. The beautiful maiden is a potent spell which carries the knight into the field of battle. It can be said that there is no one the enemy should fear more than a man who enters into battle with his lady in his heart. Beauty makes men fighters because it first makes them lovers.
Silvey observes that even the caveman found time to make cave paintings, whereas “today’s tech-savvy, fast-food fed, materialistic West places more emphasis on money, things, efficiency, and instant gratification.” Modern consumerism transforms everything into a commodity, even sex. To salvage the humanity within us, we need to slow down, stop envying what we’re told we’re supposed to have, and rediscover the joy of simple, direct living.
Jon Barrett, the hero of my novella Aztec Midnight, feels a mystical connection to the beauty of ancient weapons when he enters the vault at the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia in Cuernavaca:
I stepped into a long, darkened room full of rows of tables. The only illumination came from ultraviolet lamps. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the relic-friendly lighting. I slowly recognized piles of Aztec, Mayan, Toltec, and Spanish colonial artifacts on each table. As I gazed at the long rows of deadly and finely crafted weapons from four heroic cultures, my heart beat just a bit faster than normal. It felt like Christmas morning.
I think Jon Barrett would agree with Dostoevsky’s observation that “Beauty will save the world.” Appreciating beauty, like striving for a sound mind in a healthy body, is a vital part of being a whole man.
M.C. Tuggle, Writer 
great
LikeLike
johnjeffokello,
Thanks for that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alas! There are men who think like this…For centuries real men are those, who have slayed evil in defense of their woman’s honor. Indian mythology is inate with such examples. Yet the west has portrayed women only unidemsionally for their sexuality. For love is such a sublime weapon, which has power to transform the worst of the beings.
Great post…truly enjoyed it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seetan,
Sadly, sex has become just another commodity. Beauty and mystery have been erased from our lives, supplanted by empty abundance. Thomas Naylor called this condition affluenza.. Perfect!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not to worry, if only there is darkness, will one truly appreciate the essence of light. If only there is evil, will ever we grasp and clasp on to God ever so more…Thanks for responding…and great post once again…
LikeLike
so amazing
LikeLike
sanjaysingh,
I appreciate your visit and comment.
LikeLike
thank you so much friend
LikeLike
Real men are those with strength of mind who use it for the betterment of all life on earth. I enjoyed this post, Mike.
LikeLiked by 1 person
bethbyrnes,
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the follow!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Lost Boy's Handbook and commented:
“To salvage the humanity within us, we need to slow down, stop envying what we’re told we’re supposed to have, and rediscover the joy of simple, direct living.”
LikeLike
Destry Cloud,
Thanks for the reblog!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Simply Me!Lennie.
LikeLike
Lovely, lovely post which resonates with me and elaborates on my own reflections. Soon after realizing it was truth and beauty I was drawn to on my blog two yrs ago, I learned that the homeschool model I had embraced for my son based on the educational paradigms of the Ancient Classical world explored truth, beauty, and goodness. You pointed out their interconnectivity very nicely. And yes, when love becomes a man’s truth, there is no stopping him from anything. Not even dragons. =)
LikeLike
Thank you. I applaud your commitment to homeschooling.
LikeLike
Just saw this post now and hallelujah, wise words, my friend 🙂
LikeLike
Mike,
You’re very insightful and a superbly talented writer. I really appreciate you having this site for the rest of us to enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Douglas,
You’re too kind.
LikeLike
“Modern consumerism transforms everything into a commodity…” Bottomline is to create a need, a dissatisfaction out of anything in order to make money out of it. For as long as we remain like the cave people in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, we shall be forever slaves of the system created by human greed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently read in https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/131008-women-handprints-oldest-neolithic-cave-art that new findings indicate that most of the cave paintings were painted by women, yes, even the ones depicting hunting scenes. I wonder if that old saying about the more things change, the more they stay the same holds here, and Jon Barrett remains in the minority?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Endless Weekend,
We humans will always tend toward our comfort zones, but those who explore outside those zones will always be the trailblazers. And trailblazers will always be in the minority.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, and funny how at the same time, the majority claim they like change 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Nelsapy.
LikeLike