--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Strength is the first virtue,” Alera…" description: "\"“Strength is the first virtue,” Alera said. “That is not a pleasant fact. Its distastefulness does not alter the truth that without strength to protect..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/jim-butcher-151_character_strength-is-the-first-virtue-alera-said_895558.png" --- # Strength is the first virtue,” Alera said. “That is not a… ![“Strength is the first virtue,” Alera said. “That is not a pleasant fact. Its distastefulness does not alter the truth that without strength to protect them, all other virtues are ephemeral, ultimately meaningless.” quote by Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/jim-butcher-151_character_strength-is-the-first-virtue-alera-said_895558.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/jim-butcher-151_character_strength-is-the-first-virtue-alera-said_895558.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/jim-butcher-151_character_strength-is-the-first-virtue-alera-said_895558.png) > ““Strength is the first virtue,” Alera said. “That is not a pleasant fact. Its distastefulness does not alter the truth that without strength to protect them, all other virtues are ephemeral, ultimately meaningless.”” [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strength is essential for protecting and giving lasting value to other virtues, otherwise they are fleeting and meaningless. **In simple terms:** Strength makes other virtues matter. Key Takeaway Cultivate strength to support your values. Themes strength virtue impermanence meaning Mood serious reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal relationships - leadership - conflict resolution - self‑defense Key Concepts ethics existentialism human nature Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance strength with compassion? - When can strength become a liability? A Different Perspective Strength alone cannot guarantee moral goodness; context and intention matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Protect Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-virtues-1191145/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Strength Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-virtue-1191143/) [Virtue Alera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-alera-1191144/) [Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtues/) [Virtues Ephemeral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtues-ephemeral-1191146/) ## Related quotes > [For knowledge to become wisdom, and for the soul to grow, the soul must be rooted in God: and it is through prayer that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-mountford/for-knowledge-to-become-wisdom-and-for-the-soul-to-grow-the-soul-must/) [William Mountford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-mountford/) > [Is any one able for one day to apply his strength to virtue? 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