The measure of a man is what he does when he is chastened and rebuked by an ideal, or the ideal, be it God or kindlier Nature.

The petty tyrant will take offense and mount a self-righteous crusade. The coward will retreat into the shadows of shame and futility. The wicked will double down on the errant approach. The hero, however, will be zealous and repent.

In all cases there will be passion, but redirection, realignment, and reunification with the ideal only come when chastening and rebuke are met with deep and genuine repentance.