Aaron Miller
In all of the nonsense that I have come across in 2025 – and there has been a lot of nonsense this year – a quote from Elon Musk takes the cake. In an interview, Musk stated, “The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” Mr. Musk may have a few more bucks than I do, but he’s wrong.
First, I am not sure how much empathy Western civilization actually has. Second, empathy certainly isn’t a weakness – it’s a strength. I don’t know how this rotten idea took root and spread in our modern culture, but it’s nonsense. We have confused bluster, cursing, and displays of bravado with strength and moral fiber.
The toughest people I know are patient, kind, giving, and tolerant. They usually toil in silence, preferring to get stuff done over seeking the limelight. They put others’ needs ahead of their own. They do what is right no matter what others may think or how much it might cost them personally. That takes strength and discipline.
We learned in elementary school that bullies act tough, but are actually thin-skinned cowards. They act like jerks out of fear. They insult other people, often punching down, to feel better about themselves. Generally, once confronted, bullies back down.
Unfortunately, rude, self-centered, and boorish behavior is all too common in our daily lives. We see it everywhere, whether it is someone on the national political stage, road rage on State Road 46, or an entitled jerk ranting and raving to a minimum wage employee at a store. It is also the standard operating procedure for online etiquette. There are some who live just to “own” someone else with an online comment. I guess that makes them feel good. It seems to me that people might have more important things to do than play “gotcha” online. But if this makes you feel like a winner, more power to you.
There are also people who can emulate empathy but actually don’t care. They aren’t strong either. They smile to your face, tell you how much they love you or care about you and then the second you turn your back, they shove a knife right between your shoulder blades. You have to watch out for these types. They can pretend to care but are really psychopaths.
The brave and strong don’t need applause or accolades. They don’t need constant praise. They don’t brag about their accomplishments and would rather give credit to others. When Dick Winters, leader of “Easy” Company, the unit “Band of Brothers” was based on, was asked if he was a hero, he answered, “No, but I served in a company of heroes.” Winters wasn’t looking for praise. He, and many others who serve for us, serve because they are the strong. They do what needs to be done. Winters, and others like him, lead through empathy, by understanding the feelings and thoughts of his troopers. They also understood why the world needed them and were willing to sacrifice their own lives to finish that mission. Empathy and sacrifice made Winters a hero.
There are many other examples from history. Some of the greatest names from the past risked their lives and died to help others. They didn’t have to do this. People like Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela, led by example and will long be remembered for their compassion, empathy, and morality. That is what made them strong. They weren’t boastful or cruel.They sacrificed to help people they didn’t even know, and in the process, made the world a better place. The strong do not insult others. They don’t need to demean other human beings to feel better about themselves. Their question isn’t, “What’s in it for me?” but “How can I help?”
So the next time you see someone, whether it is online, on television, or in-person bragging about how great they are, insulting other people, or ignoring the basic needs of others, remember that these people are weak. The strong are out helping others, sacrificing for the less fortunate, and getting stuff done.
Aaron Miller is one of The Republic’s community columnists. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
