Standalone Essays · Triad of Stewardship

The Sojourner Aesthetic: Beauty as Balance

Sojournism urges that your beauty not be merely external. Real beauty is found in one’s character and ethics; true, lasting beauty does not come from externals. The internal beauty the Compass describes refers to qualities such as kindness, compassion, empathy, and integrity — qualities that do not depend on physical appearance or material possessions, but on the cultivation of a virtuous character and ethical behavior. It is “indestructible” because it cannot be taken away or diminished by external circumstances. Physical beauty fades with time, and material possessions can be lost or damaged, but the beauty of a virtuous character is enduring and resilient.

In a culture characterized by the monetization of beauty and sex and a quasi-worship of youth, one might doubt that internal beauty will be valued at all. Frankly, it doesn’t matter what the culture values. From the very beginning Sojournism states that it is a nation within a nation, a culture that rises from the pursuit of the Ideal, an ethical law that rises above the common transactional judicial system. Others may occasionally gaze upon your externals, but you have to live night and day with your internal qualities. Someday you will grow old and will largely be by yourself. You’d best like who you are. It would be better if you were a fit companion when all others have gone. By cultivating inner qualities — kindness, compassion, integrity — you can develop a sense of self-worth and contentment that does not depend on external validation or companionship.

Classy, Not Gaudy

The Compass advises choosing to be classy rather than gaudy or licentious. The difference lies in the intention and message conveyed by the clothing or accessories. Classy clothing tends to be understated, timeless, and focused on quality and fit rather than trends or excess ornamentation; the emphasis is on showcasing the individual’s natural beauty and personality rather than drawing attention to the clothing itself. Gaudy or licentious styles, by contrast, prioritize attention-grabbing features such as bold colors, excessive embellishment, or revealing cuts, and can come across as superficial or inappropriate to the setting. The distinction is not always clear-cut and varies with cultural norms and individual preference, but a bias toward quality, simplicity, and timelessness cultivates an elegance that is both enduring and appropriate across a wide range of situations.

This principle bends to accommodate real people. Many autistic people, for instance, dress for comfort rather than style — loose-fitting clothes, no tags, sometimes muted earth tones, sometimes scarlet tennis shoes or dyed purple hair. The guidance still applies, but adapted to sensory needs: prioritizing comfort and functionality is itself a way to maintain a kind of classiness while ensuring the person feels comfortable and confident. There is no one-size-fits-all palette. The goal is a balance between honoring personal preference and sensory need on the one hand, and being mindful of the message clothing sends on the other.

Balance as the Root of Beauty

The Sojourner view of beauty focuses on balance — for instance, the balance between the natural inclinations of loving-kindness and strength, acceptance and confrontation, exuberance and self-restraint. This is a definition broad enough to reach beyond the face or the wardrobe into art, music, and architecture. The principle of balance is reflected in works that embody both strength and gentleness, tradition and innovation, simplicity and complexity. A piece of Sojourner art might depict a powerful yet nurturing figure, or use a palette that blends bold and subtle hues. Sojourner music might incorporate both soft, melodic passages and driving rhythms. Sojourner architecture would balance form and function, joining classic and contemporary elements.

The same balance applies to conduct. Comeliness is the epitome of the Ideal of doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time, for the right reason. I know of no single word, in any language, that captures all four of these qualities at once — but two terms I have come across over the years come close. One is the Hebrew tzedakah (צדקה), which encompasses righteousness, justice, and doing what is right, for the sake of doing what is right. The other is the Japanese wabi-sabi, the beauty of impermanence, simplicity, and imperfection, associated with practices such as the tea ceremony and the Zen garden — a way of doing the right thing (appreciating simplicity and impermanence), in the right way (through a disciplined practice), at the right time (in the present moment), for the right reason (to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace). Neither word captures all four qualities exactly, but both point toward the same balanced appropriateness.

That such a word is rare tells us something. It speaks to the limitations of language itself — there are aspects of beauty and goodness that are difficult to capture in words and require a more holistic, intuitive understanding. And yet the fact that we can still discuss these ideas, even in longer phrases, is a testament to our ability to use language creatively and flexibly. The search for a word that names balanced appropriateness becomes a catalyst for reflection, dialogue, and growth even while the word itself stays elusive. Our struggle to express the concept is a reflection of our struggle to embody the Ideal.

Novelty, Not Pleasure

There is a further subtlety in the Sojourner view of art. Works of art do not function as levers on your pleasure centers. Rather, they hit your brain more obliquely, pushing the buttons that trigger your craving for novelty. Rodin’s statue The Old Courtesan is a case in point — it does not flatter the eye, yet it compels attention. Many great works operate this way. Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory challenges our perception of time and space with its melting clocks. Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring provoked scandal at its 1913 premiere with dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms that defied traditional notions of musical beauty. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao pushes the boundaries of what a museum can look like. Each challenges us to expand our horizons while satisfying our innate desire for novelty and innovation.

But regardless of the form, a sense of balance must remain for a work to be considered beautiful by Sojourners. If the art is only bizarre, with no recognizable element against which it is measured; if the music is only dissonant and arrhythmic; if the building does not consider the comfort or health of the people using it — then, regardless of its technical prowess, it is not beautiful in the Sojourner view. It doesn’t matter if the house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright if it continually leaks and is unhealthy. Brutalism, as an architectural form, would not be considered beautiful. This is the same logic that runs elsewhere through the framework: prestige and technical brilliance do not excuse a thing that fails at its essential function. Novelty and innovation matter, but beauty requires that they be balanced against a genuine consideration for the human experience. Art should not sacrifice function or comfort for the sake of pushing boundaries or creating something wholly unfamiliar.

The Arts for Everyone

Balance, positive detachment, and generosity in the form of sharing are woven through every aspect of Sojourner culture — even the appreciation of the arts. I would encourage significant investment in cultural institutions such as museums, concert halls, theaters, and art galleries. But that investment should be balanced by a commitment to making these experiences accessible to people from all walks of life, including those who cannot afford high ticket prices or expensive memberships. One approach is community-based institutions — neighborhood museums or theaters offering free or low-cost programming to local residents. Another is subsidies or scholarships for low-income individuals, or free admission on certain days. The goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience and appreciate the arts, regardless of financial circumstances.

Finally, it is worth asking what it would tell us if a religion or philosophy did not result in creative and imaginative expression. It would suggest a belief system too rigid or dogmatic to allow for individual interpretation and exploration — one focused on maintaining order and control rather than promoting growth. Imaginative and creative expression is a direct result of freedom of thought; it requires the freedom to explore new ideas and challenge existing norms without fear of judgment or retribution. The presence or absence of creative expression is therefore a window into the values and priorities of any tradition.

Part of the Triad of Stewardship’s Standalone Essays. Companion pieces: Forgiveness and Its Limits (forthcoming) · The Mandates of Conflict · Criminal Justice.