The Art of Manliness
Episode: The Classical Code of Manhood
Date: October 7, 2025
Guest: Waller Newell, Professor of Political Science, Author of The Code of Man

Overview

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, host Brett McKay and guest Waller Newell analyze what it means to be a man through the lens of ancient Western and biblical traditions. Drawing from Newell’s influential book The Code of Man (recently updated and reissued), the episode explores the “classical code” of manhood, its five main paths or virtues, and how these continue to resonate—and clash—with modern concerns over “toxic masculinity.” Newell advocates for reviving a concept of manliness rooted in virtue, integration of reason and passion, and embodied through personal, familial, and civic life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Need to Revisit Manliness (03:11)

• Cultural Context: The debate over masculinity, especially contrasts between "true manliness" and "toxic masculinity," has intensified, motivating Newell to update his book for a new generation.
  • Quote: "...the whole debate over the meaning of masculinity and the distinction between true manliness and toxic masculinity ... has grown ever more intense." (B, 03:32)

2. Defining Manliness (04:49)

• Newell’s Definition: True manliness is virtuous and never violates anyone’s freedom, distinguishing itself sharply from "toxic masculinity."
  • Quote: "...true manliness ... is premised on the need for virtuous behavior that could never violate anyone's rights or freedom, least of all that of women..." (B, 04:54)
• Sources: Draws from Greek, Roman, and biblical traditions; notes how the synthesis and tensions between these (e.g., pride in classics vs. humility in Christianity) create a creative philosophical challenge.
  • Quote: "Christianity ... would argue that compassion ... should be the chief virtue of a true man, and pride is actually something to be avoided." (B, 06:46)

3. Ancient Literature as Case Studies (07:57)

• Harnessing Passion: The ancients—from Homer’s Iliad to the Bible—offer guidance on reining in dangerous masculine impulses and sublimating them for the common good.
  • Quote: "Tyranny, in a way, is the deepest perversion of manliness." (B, 08:48)
  • Achilles vs. Odysseus: Achilles represents unbridled, destructive passion; Odysseus, who channels passion for the love of family and prudent action, is the model to emulate.

4. The Five Paths of Manliness (11:24)

• Newell’s Framework: The virtues are Love, Courage, Pride, Family, and Country—each encompassing sub-virtues and building an "integrated life."

5. Classical vs. Biblical Virtues (12:05)

• Tension: Aristotle viewed humility as a vice; St. Augustine called humility the main virtue. These traditions may not be reconcilable but must be grappled with.

6. Universality of Virtues (13:46)

• Gender and Virtue: These virtues are universal, but men and women may pursue them differently due to temperament and proclivity.
  • Quote: "Men and women are pursuing the same aims, they do so along somewhat different paths." (B, 13:46)

7. The Role of Classical Education (15:20, 16:07)

• Influence: Exemplars like Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and the Founding Fathers were steeped in classics. Modern loss of this tradition weakens our shared conceptions of manhood today.
  • Quote: "...the ruling class of that society must be made up of liberally educated gentlemen." (B, 16:48)

8. Balance of Reason and Passion – Plato’s Allegory (20:14)

• Plato’s Chariot: The charioteer (mind) must guide powerful horses (passions) without either dominating or being dominated.
  • Quote: "...there has to be this harmony of the mind and the passions, even though the mind ... has to be in the driver’s seat." (B, 21:10)
• Modern Imbalance: In today’s world, expressions of masculinity often oscillate between repressive meekness (“the wimp”) and destructive aggression (“the beast”), as dramatized in Fight Club (21:31).

9. The Five Virtues in Detail

A. Love (28:05)

• Starting with Love: Most personal, accessible to young men; love, when properly directed, motivates us to perfect ourselves for the beloved’s admiration (Plato’s Symposium).
  • Quote: "When we love another person, it isn't simply a bodily love. What we're truly in love with is the nobility in their character." (B, 29:17)
• Modern Erosion: Divorce culture and self-centered eros have undermined love’s communal and aspirational aspects.

B. Courage (36:19)

• Ancient Understanding: Beyond physical bravado—courage is feeling fear and overcoming it, but ultimately serving the common good.
• Thumos: The spirited, aggressive part of the soul—dangerous if untrained, essential if harnessed for virtue and civic good.
  • Quote: "Plato ... says the need to educate Thumas and shape it, draw it away from ... temptations and turn it into a vigorous pursuit of serving the common good..." (B, 37:26)
• Nurturing Thumos: Encourage boys’ natural energies via constructive outlets and exposure to vivid narratives of virtue (e.g., classics, biography).

C. Pride (44:52)

• Ornament of Virtue: For Aristotle, pride (megalopsychia) is the crown—combining all virtues and striving for great deeds.
  • Quote: "For him [Aristotle] ... greatness of soul. Megalus Hokeya ... is the crown of all the moral virtues." (B, 45:09)
• Modern Dilemma: Derived from the biblical critique, we’re ambivalent about pride, uncertain whether to avoid it or pursue it.

D. Family (51:17)

• School of Virtue: Family is where virtues are practiced and cultivated; marriage ideally a partnership of equals, cooperation, and friendship (Aristotle).
  • Quote: "...a marriage should be a partnership between the husband and the wife ... to raise their children to be virtuous." (B, 52:12)
• Classical Exemplars: Odysseus (striving for home and partnership) vs. Achilles (isolated rage).

E. Country/Patriotism (54:54)

• Responsible Patriotism: True love of country is not blind loyalty, but includes reasoned dissent and commitment to the local/nation-state context.
  • Quote: "Patriotism is not uncritical and unswerving loyalty ... There has to be a built in capacity for dissent and freedom of expression." (B, 54:54)
• Civic Engagement: Manliness includes participation in public life; start small (schools, clubs, church) as “laboratories of democracy.”

10. Educational Reform & Hope for the Future (59:35, 62:13)

• Reviving Civic and Virtue Education: Calls for more institutes and programs that blend liberal/classical education with applied civics.
• Optimism About Manliness: Despite cultural anxieties, Newell believes the perennial yearning for virtue and meaning among young men is intensifying today.
  • Quote: "Human nature does not change, and the yearning of young men for a satisfying way of living does not go away." (B, 62:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Defining Manliness:
  "True manliness ... is premised on the need for virtuous behavior that could never violate anyone's rights or freedom..." (B, 04:54)

• Ancient Case Study:
  "Achilles is everything you should not emulate because he is terribly narcissistic ... Odysseus is meant to be the more admirable character." (B, 09:24)

• Education and Manliness:
  "They believed ... the ruling class ... must be made up of liberally educated gentlemen." (B, 16:48)

• On Love as the Entry Virtue:
  "Love was something that touched them right now ... beginning with the theme of love was a way that young men could be drawn in." (B, 28:05)

• On Pride—Classical vs. Biblical Tension:
  "Christianity ... would argue that compassion ... should be the chief virtue of a true man, and pride is actually something to be avoided." (B, 06:46) "I'm happy to let the contradiction reign within me ... there may not be a magic solution." (B, 50:47)

• Civic Engagement:
  "You can't be loyal to the globe. ... you have to be loyal to a particular society with its own traditions." (B, 57:55) "Just get involved ... with the booster club ... these sort of little laboratories of democracy." (A, 61:09)

• On the Future:
  "I'm not pessimistic about the future of manliness. ... The yearning of young men for a satisfying way of living does not go away." (B, 62:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Defining Manliness & Its Context: 03:11–06:46
• Classics vs. Modernity: 07:57–13:46
• The Five Paths of Manliness: 11:24–12:05
• Discussion of Each Virtue:
  • Love: 28:05–36:19
  • Courage & Thumos: 36:19–44:52
  • Pride: 44:52–51:17
  • Family: 51:17–54:54
  • Country/Patriotism: 54:54–62:01
• Encouragement for Optimism: 62:13–62:59

Conclusion

In this episode, Waller Newell offers a nuanced critique of the contemporary crisis in masculinity, urging listeners to rediscover a classical code grounded in virtue, reason, and civic responsibility. Together with Brett McKay, he makes a compelling case for the continuing relevance of ancient ideals, encouraging men to strive for noble living—starting with love, and extending to courage, pride, family, and country—while acknowledging the inevitable tensions with modern and religious worldviews.

For further reading and resources, refer to Newell’s website and Art of Manliness show notes.