Err On This Side | Ask Daily Stoic

<p>One should understand, or at least empathize with, the difficult position a politician quite often finds themselves these days with the proliferation of divisive, hot-button political issues. Take Utah’s governor Spencer Cox and transgender youth in sports. Cox couldn’t easily decide what side to take on the issue–or at least he didn’t immediately act when the subject came before state lawmakers. Instead, Cox sought counsel from trusted mentors. He read books to understand both sides as best he could. He read books about figures he admired, who had to make tough choices in analogous situations. Then, after much circumspection, he <a href="https://governor.utah.gov/2022/03/24/gov-cox-why-im-vetoing-hb11/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">decided to vote with his conscience</a>:</p><p><em>“I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion.”</em></p><p>📕 Ryan Holiday's new book "<a href="https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/discipline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Discipline Is Destiny</a>" is out now! We’ve extended the&nbsp;<a href="https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/discipline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pre-order bonuses for the next week</a>—among them is a signed and numbered page from the original manuscript of the book. You can learn more about those and how to receive them over at&nbsp;<a href="https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/discipline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dailystoic.com/preorder</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at <a href="https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail</a></p><p>📱 Follow us: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dailystoic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/dailystoic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <