My DA Chief said that when a priest becomes a bishop, the first thing he loses is his spine.  Chief is insightful and funny.  And absolutely on point.  No need for specific examples but many of us can probably point to an example they know. 

This one is about integrity.  

It matters a lot and I think it’s more than just honesty for others, principles, the greater good, etc.  It is also about being true to oneself.  The other things I’ve mentioned are important no doubt but at the end of the day, Hamlet got it right – above all, to thine self be true.  Nothing, even if it doesn’t feel like it, is worth losing that.  Not position, popularity, maybe even “love.”  

It is painful and costly to stand alone.  

It might be worse to be labeled a coward.

I don’t know for sure but a thousand deaths and all.  

I think this príncipe is also valuable as a test for evaluating others.  My kids’ patron saint, USAF Colonel John Boyd said – Ask for my loyalty, I’ll give you my honesty.  Ask for my honesty, I’ll give you my loyalty.

Integrity is really hard to aspire to much less accomplish.  Everyone fails.  

Everyone.  

Most if not all of us have a price.  Just try to make sure it’s as high as it can be.

Although Thomas More, a real saint, does choose death over betraying his beliefs – to the point where he refuses to do something benign to preserve himself.  I don’t think I could have come close to that.

You may not be willing to lose your head.  But try to at least keep your spine.