Authenticity, the virtue

Aristotle said that virtue is a mean. A middle ground between two extremes.

Take bravery. Too much leads to recklessness. Too little, cowardice.

And honesty. Too much is brutal. Too little is deceit.

Compassion. Loyalty. Kindness. Gratitude. Humility. Patience.

All means.

Authenticity is a virtue too. But too often we think authenticity means saying and doing what we’re thinking and feeling. Keeping it real.

That’s the extreme, not the mean.

That’s not how the virtue works.

Authenticity, the virtue, doesn’t mean letting our words and actions be controlled by our internal monologue and impulses. It means guarding our words and actions so they align with our values and principles.

Balance. Finding the mean. Takes focus and practice.

That’s what Aristotle would call keeping it real.