Pliny the Elder

Courage as the Art of Selective Fear

Finally, good judgment balances boldness with humility. The precautionary principle warns against dismissing low-probability, high-impact threats, yet over-caution can paralyze. Practical tools—premortems (Gary Klein), red-teaming, and scenario planning—help sort real hazards from theatrical ones. Ask: Is this fear about ego or values? Is it evidence-based or merely vivid? What is the reversible next step? By iterating small, informed moves, we preserve optionality while refusing to let noisy anxieties dictate action. In that disciplined stance, Pliny’s aphorism becomes a daily practice: courage as the steady art of choosing which fears to release—and which to heed. [...]

Hope is the Pillar That Holds Up the World - Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and philosopher, wrote extensively on natural history and human experiences in the 1st century. His observations often linked human emotions and virtues to the natural and social order, emphasizing their role in maintaining harmony and stability. [...]