Does your stoicism tell in your actions and deeds unconsciously, like your biases and other principles? You ran a 10k race today and there were moments when it was too much, but you continued. Why didn’t you apply this to the people you met afterwards? Why retreat, even if you are feeling ill? What cost is there to a kind word, or simple engagement? If you remain quiet and pained, do you wish to communicate this to strangers somehow, through your expression? They are too new in their acquaintance to be troubled by you. They will simply turn to easier people. While you have the energy to stand, you can smile. While you can see, you can make observations. And there is no need to be disingenuous. We, runners at least, worked hard today. It was tough and we prepared. Don’t joke about how unprepared you were when it was not true. That is betraying yourself.

Courage in this, and all things. Courage is a realisation that to take any other stance puts you at a disadvantage. Fear is putting a weak face on things (on those occasions where fear is not justified; and, being honest with yourself, you know that this applies to most situations).