This comment has been widely shared, but I think it misses the point of greatness. John Lewis’s great accomplishment was fighting for fairness in an important case of its denial, when he was in a place to do so with great impact. https://twitter.com/jasonisbell/status/1284358545996161024

It’s related to the mistake of denying greatness of others such as Churchill for their many flaws.

Churchill’s greatness is not a holistic judgment of his virtue or ability (like Achilles blessed w/ demigod-like qualities). Rather, it reflects his courage and leadership in the face of one great challenge.

This is consistent with the Biblical view of heroism. Hebrews 11 (regarded as a list of heroes of the faith) lists a series of acts, often involving great courage by otherwise ordinary and flawed people, that were significant because of their time and impact.

Mordecai’s admonition to Esther that she was where she was “for such a time as this” is a perfect illustration: Esther’s greatness came from courage in a place where she was uniquely suited to have enormous impact, not some extraordinary capabcity of inherent greatness.

Certainly many celebrated as great for particular accomplishments cultivated many virtues, and would have been respected even outside these circumstances.

But greatness came from courage and leadership in situations where they were uniquely positioned for extraordinary impact.