What does it take to form virtue—or to ‘educate’ in the most important sense? This perennial question concerns all of us, at all stages of life. Aristotle offers a simple but surprising principle that should focus us on what we’re doing at home in these winter days.

In a strikingly insightful text, Aristotle notes that often explanations or ‘arguments’ about how to live have little effect on people—especially the young. His explanation is arresting: “but the soul of the student must first have been cultivated by means of habits of noble joy and noble hatred, like earth which is to nourish the seed.”

Herein is a practical principle that is at once very demanding and encouraging. The primary form of ‘educating’ the young, and that which renders all of us more capable of ‘hearing’ the truth, is to cultivate noble joy and noble hatred. What a fascinating and exciting notion!

This gives a new and deeper angle into the importance of ‘setting a good example.’ For, what is the main way that the young can first get a taste, an experience of noble joy? It is precisely by their seeing our joy in noble things. If, for instance, spouses engage in energetic conversation about higher things, their own joy in it will be contagious. Those around them, especially the young, will be moved in a sympathetic way; they will be drawn into the same joy.

What a wonderful design. What adults must do to deepen our own souls, and relationships—that is, engage regularly in what brings noble joy—is precisely also the key way of cultivating the soil of the young. When we invite them into such joy, it “nourish[es] the seed,” making them capable of grasping richer teachings and gaining deeper insight into reality.

Such noble joys need not be remote from our daily experience. We can see winter as a unique opportunity, even a special call, to slow down and focus on some simple activities yielding noble joy. Reading aloud together (especially around a fire) is a primary example within our reach. Yes, it calls for a certain spirit and intentionality; and it calls for choosing texts or stories that lend to communal savoring. Picture reading any of a number of classic stories where good character shines forth in its true beauty (and bad character shows itself for what it is). When the adult in the room, or ideally the adults, appreciate this beauty there is a powerful magic at work.

Of course in addition to reading aloud there is story telling, singing together, and other simple but rich activities that tend to open the window to higher realms. Thinking in terms of cultivating noble joys gives us renewed inspiration to lean into the ordinary activities of shared human life in the home—features that while ‘ordinary’ have become increasingly rare.

There is so much at stake here. Our daily efforts to rediscover and enact the most simple forms of shared life in the home are at the center of cultivating our souls—all of us, and of our growing more capable of perceiving and enjoying the fullness of life for which we are made. ~ ~ ~

NEW PODCAST! WINTER: SLOWING DOWN THE PACE OF LIFE. Winter is a clarion call to slow down and look inside—our homes and our hearts. Join Sofia and me in discussing how to make this winter a time of coming home and discovering the deeper richness we long for.  Please check out and share our podcasts HERE, on youtube and wherever you get your podcasts.

LifeCraft is proud to announce that you are invited to a live-or-later webinar hosted by Fraternus! I will join our host, Jason Craig for
HEARTH WORK: A Man’s Duties at Winter’s End,  Feb 12, 2026 07:00 PM EST
• Re-engage with the responsibilities of a head of a household.
• Remember what we owe to your fellow men (they are counting on us!)
• Rekindle desire to do our duty when we can forget the lessons of Christmas and fail to prepare for Lent.
Register in advance for this webinar HERE
Jason M. Craig, runs a small dairy farm in Western NC. He is the co-founder of Faternus, founding editor of Sword&Spade magazine, and author of Leaving Boyhood Behind and The Liturgy of the Land. He holds a master’s degree from the Augustine Institute and is known to claim his family invented bourbon.

ANNOUNCING an ALL-NEW COURSE on WORK starting in Lent! This will be a four session, live online free course open to all men and women. It will give principles and concrete direction for renewing our home life by how we work in our homes every day. Information and Registration HERE.

John Cuddeback

Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.