Briefly Noted: The Lie of Gendered Virtues

Courage isn’t male, compassion isn’t female, and honesty belongs to us all.

We still talk about “masculine” and “feminine” virtues. Courage, reason, and honor are coded masculine. Compassion, fidelity, and tenderness are coded feminine. It’s a centuries old habit, but it’s a shallow one.

Look closer at history, philosophy, and religion, and the system falls apart. Greek philosophers praised courage as essential for all citizens. Christian and Buddhist traditions hold compassion as a universal virtue, not a female one. The Hebrew prophets called men and women alike to honesty and justice. Across traditions, the same truth emerges: the deepest virtues transcend gender.

When we label virtues masculine or feminine, we shrink them into stereotypes rather than recognize them as enduring human capacities. Worse, we risk excusing their absence. If honesty is masculine, then women who lie are just being women. If tenderness is feminine, then men who are harsh are just being men.

The truth is simpler and more demanding: honesty, courage, compassion, and wisdom belong to everyone. And if you don’t know any courageous women or compassionate men, you’re either not looking or you need to get out more.