Romans were the people,who ruled ancient world nearly for 2000 years starting from 500 BC in Italy,ending with the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople.They are the people who taught what was,governing,managing and executing to the world besides manything. Nearly all the historians agree that the virtues of the pater familias of the simple patrician roman family was the virtues on which Imperium Romanum was founded,governed,exalted and endured,exceeding all the known institutions of the humanity.
I think that these virtues ,which created the eternal empire(aeternitas) and its eternal patriciens ,was,is and will be in the very core of all management activities,from very simple to the most complicated.
Let’s have a look at these eternal virtues and get immortal references about management from great Romans.
VIRTUS(manliness,courage,strenght) :All the great things are achieved against the decompositing effect of life. Virtus is a spiritual power to keep yourself erect and to create a center of order and superiority through the perseverance of your will.
AUCTORITAS (Spiritual authority,prestige) :Contrary to the concept of charisma in the modern world, Roman would believe a higher and more realistic superiority: Auctoritas. It symbolises the real valour and potential of the character which can not be bend or degenerated.
FORTITUDO (Bravery,courage,valour) : All the greatness in the history of manykind was achieved by bravery. As Thomas Carlyle said, our courage determines to which extend we are human. Civilisation is created by the courage and all great deeds are done through it.
COMITAS(Humour” Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness) : Be kind,polite ,courteous ,open and friendly.Do not allow to be burdened by the weight of the tasks,duties and routine. Keep your positivity.
CLEMENTIA(Mercy” Mildness and gentleness) : Let your principles be iron but your character be mild. Through forgiveness you will reign on your defeated opponents and create new armies from them to conquer the rest of your opponents.
DIGNITAS :(Dignity” A sense of self-worth, personal pride): Have self respect and keep your pride up even you are alone with yourself. You are only deserved to what you deem for yourself.
FIRMITAS(Firmity, Tenacity” Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one’s purpose)Think well and decide diligently and be firm what you decide. Slow in decision,then firm on it ,but quick in action.
FRUGALITAS (Frugalness” Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly) : Be simple and frugal in your life style and expenses.
Use less but be more ! Be less instrumental but more essential !
GRAVITAS (Gravity” A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness) : Do with all your energy and spirit what you do. Your deed are your worth and your worth lies only what you do, and are capable to do.
HONESTAS(Respectibility” The image that one presents as a respectable member of society) : Be a man of honour and keep this regard even in any trifling matters.
Respect may be gained by great deeds,but can be lost in small details.
HUMANITAS (Humanity” Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured) Educate yourself, be a man of refinement. Culture rules,and more culture attracts and rules more effectively.
INDUSTRIA(Industriousness” Hard work) Work harder and if you want to reach to the top and be entitled to manage,then you should even work harder.
Like Emperor Severus said to his soldiers in his deathbed : Laboremus : we must work !
PIETAS (Dutifulness” More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others)Respect the rules of traditions,religions,laws and all which is regarded worth of respect.
By rules and principles has mankind elevated himself !
PRUDENTIA (Prudence” Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion) Be diligently intelligent and prudent. Life is full of surprises and shadowed options.Wisdom lies in prudence both in speaking and acting.
SALUBRITAS (Wholesomeness” Health and cleanliness.) Your health is your wealth.Care your body and be cared by life. Only the healthy bodies can generate healthy thoughts.
SEVERITAS (Sternness” Gravity, self-control) As romans said : Vincit qui se vincit, he who defeats himself can defeat all. Be serious,because life is a serious task. If we let out, we will be directed by the fortune and blind course of events.
Have a presence of the mind in all your actions till all your life be turned into a living connsciousness,bright,pure and with force of gravity.
VERITAS(Truthfulness” Honesty in dealing with others.) Live with the truth, rule with the truth,speak only truth ,excel the truth and be excelled by truth and die with the truth at the end. Truth is a banner of freedom.
We do not need more than truth to be right,upright and triumphant.
PATIENTIA (Endurance,perseverance,desinteressé): Be resilient and learn how to withstand against any adversity of fortune,condition and life in general. Learn to walk against storm.
