“Cato the Younger had enough money to dress in fine clothing. Yet he often walked around Rome barefoot, indifferent to assumptions people made about him as he passed. he could have indulged in the finest food. He chose instead to eat simple far. whether it was raining or intensely hot, he went bareheaded by choice. Why not indulge in some easy relief? Because Cato was training his soul to be strong and resilient. Specifically, he was learning indifference: an attitude of ‘let come what may’ that would serve him well in the trenches with the army, in the Forum and the Senate, and in his life as a father and statesman.”
Ryan Holiday, via The Daily Stoic (Page 263)
Quotes about Being Tough
“Mental toughness is persistence not intensity.”
James Clear, Blog
Jon Gordon Quote on Tough Love and How Love Should Come First
“I believe in tough love. But for tough love to work, love must come first. We must love tough to bring out the best in those who lead.”
Jon Gordon
Beyond the Quote (106/365)
At what point does “tough love” go from being “love that’s tough” to just being hurtful, mean, and even abusive behavior? It’s an important distinction to make because there is certainly a line between being tough out of love and being tough because of harbored inner hate—or lack of control.
In my estimation, I think Jon has it right in the quote above. In order for tough love to work, love must come first. The intention behind the action has to be mindfully channeled through love and has to be conscious and deliberate. When tough actions are taken without the mind, they are usually emotionally charged, disproportionately harsh, and later regretted. Then, after it’s all said and done, those actions are guised behind “tough love” and proper responsibility isn’t always taken.
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