Heroes rarely look the way we draw them in our minds: attractive, imposing figures with rippling muscles and strong chins. More times than not they are humble beings, small and flawed. It is only their spirits that are beautiful and strong.
Interpretation
True heroes are often not what we expect; they are humble and flawed individuals with strong spirits.
This quote by Richard Paul Evans challenges the conventional image of heroes as physically strong and perfect beings. It highlights the idea that real heroism lies in humility, flaws, and the strength of one’s character and spirit, rather than in superficial attributes or grand appearances.
In practice
During a speech about community service, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of character over appearance.
It is often during the worst of times that we see the best of humanity–awakening within the most ordinary of us that which is most sublime. I do not believe that it is circumstance that produces such greatness any more than it is the canvas that makes the artist. Adversity merely presents the surface on which we render our souls’ most exacting likeness. It is in the darkest skies that stars are best seen.
Our judgments when we are pleased and friendly are not the same as when we are pained and hostile.
We are not angels, we are merely sophisticated apes. Yet we feel like angels trapped inside the bodies of beasts, craving transcendence and all the time trying to spread our wings and fly off, and it's really a very odd predicament to be in, if you think about it.
Ed Koch will never "rest in peace." That was not his way. He was always nervously squirming, while making others squirm as well. Comfort was not his goal. He understood that to be a proud and assertive Jew meant never being able to leave a sigh of relief and say "it's over, we are at peace, we can now put down our guard and relax."
The arc of the moral universe may bend towards justice, but it doesn't bend on its own.
To kill, in war or in any circumstance, creates a silence. It is right that silence should surround the taking of life. After all, the life taken is not ours to take.
So no, it's not all in the genes, but what isn't in the genes isn't in the family environment either. It can't be explained in terms of the overall personalities or the child-rearing practices of parents.
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