#praus

Gilbert: My anaconda don't

The origin of “meek” in English comes from the Old Norse mjukr, meaning “gentle,” though perhaps a fuller understanding comes from the Greek origin, praus, which is translated as “strength under control.” In ancient Greece, war horses were trained to be meek — strong and powerful yet under control and willing to submit.

Aristotle said that the praus person is one who has the virtue of the mean between two extremes. If recklessness were on one end and cowardice on the other, praus might be characterized as steady courage. For example, a meek person doesn’t shy away from taking a stand. Rather, the stand is taken at the right time, with the right people, in the right way. He or she submits or constrains power for greater effect on self and others.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Two months ago, I started a daily exercise of focusing on one word in silence each morning. When I wrote about this ritual, some friends asked me what the word was, but I’ve been reluctant to reveal it because it’s often misunderstood and not celebrated in society. The word is meek. Not a word you use very often, right? Sounds like weak, reminds you of timid? Our culture rejects anything of the sort. We’re encouraged to be strong, bold, confident, and assertive. So why in the world would meek be a good word to focus on every day? Well, the actual meaning of the word might surprise you. The origin of “meek” in English comes from the Old Norse mjukr, meaning “gentle,” though perhaps a fuller understanding comes from the Greek origin, praus, which is translated as “strength under control.” In ancient Greece, war horses were trained to be meek — strong and powerful yet under control and willing to submit. Aristotle said that the praus person is one who has the virtue of the mean between two extremes. If recklessness were on one end and cowardice on the other, praus might be characterized as steady courage. For example, a meek person doesn’t shy away from taking a stand. Rather, the stand is taken at the right time, with the right people, in the right way. He or she submits or constrains power for greater effect on self and others.   By focusing on this word every day, I’ve found different ways to apply it...