…a revival of what Shirley Robin Letwin, the distinguished Anglo-American political theorist, called the “vigorous virtues” in her important study of Thatcherism. These are such qualities as:
- Self-reliance,
- Diligence,
- Thrift,
- Trustworthiness, and
- Initiative
that enable someone who exhibits them to live and work independently in society. Though they are not the only virtues—compassion might be called one of the “softer virtues”—they are essential to the success of a free economy and a civil society, both of which rely on dispersed initiative and self-reliant citizens.
John O’Sullivan, Executive Editor
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
in a speech at Hillsdale College
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