Of all the virtues, righteousness is the greatest. No amount of patience, generosity, earnestness, friendliness, diligence, kindness or humility will provide the counterweight necessary to overcome the gravitational pull of vice. Of all the virtues, righteousness is greatest.
Righteousness is the quality that inspires to greatness, when nothing less will do. Righteousness is the quality that inspires men to give more than they think themselves capable of giving. A man or woman whose heart and mind is reined by righteousness shall always overcome.
What is this righteousness? A disconnected religious notion? A virtue reserved to the saints and the saviors? No, righteousness is known in the golden mean between past and present, eternal and temporal. Like truth, it is possessed by no man, but available to all.
Righteousness is given voice whenever the right course is chosen over the expedient one. Righteousness cannot be forced, mentally constructed or expressed in reaction to the circumstances at hand. In fact, righteousness is only invested in those whose hearts are pure and whose minds are clear.
To be righteous you must release yourself from the shackles of self-concern, fear, envy and self-righteousness. The path to righteous expression is forged through unconditional forgiveness and deep humility and as long as you hold grudges, resentment, fears or complaint in your heart, righteousness will be but a dream and life will be but a nightmare.
Dare to find it in yourself to believe in the possibility of righteousness not just for others, but in you.
Gregory Hake 
I would recommend the movie “Invictus” as a good example of a man- Nelson Mandela- who embodied the spirit of righteousness as he lead his nation through the healing years in post-apartheid South Africa.
The movie title is from a poem by William Ernest Henley, which helped sustain Mandela during his dark days of imprisonment.
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
LikeLike
Funny you should say that. This post was inspired by the same movie (watched the night before) and from things I’ve been reading about Mandela’s remarkable insistence on reconciliation without retribution. Why repeat the cycle?!?
LikeLike
This is the best explanation of righteousness that I have ever seen. Thank you.
We have had some great examples of forgiveness and deep humility, reading about them and observing the value that their lives have contributed to our world, it makes sense to me that these attributes can be the entry point to living a righteous life.
You have given me some excellent insight.
LikeLike
I’m flattered by your compliment. Thank you and glad I could help!
LikeLike
I so dare myself, to seek out righteousness in others, and most importantly deliberately engage in the forging process within myself. Releasing ALL shadows of doubt and turning, that I may Arise, and ALL things be made new. This is my re-dedication in this “Golden Mean” here and now.
In this eve I humbly ask that the wreckage of things past be cleared away and forgiven, and that my heart and mind abide in this newly established Vision for what is to come.
Here am I.
I have deep appreciation for your provision!
LikeLike
What is the purpose in life without being righteous? A man or woman on earth without righteousness is either living in an unchanging, stagnant purgatory, or walking down the path to destruction. Only someone who is righteous can find victory and success themselves, never mind leading others to them. The appearance of great things can be attained, but they are empty shells compared to the life lived righteously. Thank you for these wonderful posts.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome.
LikeLike
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the choice always available to each of us.
LikeLike
Your blog has highlighted many remarkable individuals – those in the historical past, those recently passed and those still present – who have lived righteous lives. These examples as well as many other topics of consideration you’ve broached do inspire the heart into a realm beyond living life by human strength alone. Your beautiful description today of righteousness is the practical means by which the inspiration we may feel becomes a fact in and through our living. Here’s to moving from being inspired to actual living and doing!
LikeLike
A serious “aha” moment while reading this entry. Thanks! Talk about the sun shining through to burn away the smug clouds!
LikeLike