Abraham Lincoln 1864
There is much to say for the idea that we become good by doing good. As the proverb goes, “Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” Another truth goes deeper. We truly do good on the basis of being good. And our quest for goodness, living the will of God, is met by genuine righteousness, true and beautiful, which comes as the gift of God. Human and divine contributions to character interweave.
Excellent character, strong and well-balanced character, we all can attain. The goal in this philosophy is not just growth, but excellence. Of course, we may choose a more gradual approach and wait to attain it in the next life; however, considering how urgently the planet needs people to be living at that level of best, we may be inspired to accelerate and go for that goal now. The power of God is waiting to leverage our wholehearted commitment.
Character achievement goes beyond breakthroughs to virtues, which are dependable and trustworthy, and beyond individual virtues to their unification in character. The person who thirsts for righteousness is not content with living righteously for a stretch of time and then allowing some event not only to interrupt that momentum but also to launch another stretch of time on a lower level of living. World ping-pong champion Viktor Barna observed that points are won or lost in groups, so that when you lose a point, you must try your best to win the next one. Righteous living requires maintenance.
Darwin, Socrates, Jesus, John Muir, Johann Sebastian Bach, Albert Schweitzer, and Jane Addams did the actions and developed the virtues of noble character. They showed virtues in science, philosophy, and spirituality; aesthetic virtues of receptivity and creativity, and moral virtues of decision and action. What is more, most of them showed blended virtues of truth, beauty, and goodness in a well-rounded character. When these virtues are unified, the resulting character has the fragrance of a person who is participating in the divine life. Virtues pertain to specific types of situation that we have learned to handle well; character responds to the whole of life.
But most of us live far from the heroic level shown in the profiles. The great ones may seem so far above us as to make it unrealistic or depressing to suggest that we grow in the direction of these virtues; but if we give up on growth there is no way to hold our own: we either advance or fall back.
In response, during the next few weeks, we shall observe both the natural and gradual way of growth and the marks of excellent character.
Do you have one or more persons of excellent character who have inspired you in your growth? What characteristics did you especially appreciate in them?
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As I reflect over my life, and examine those persons who were instrumental in assisting my character growth, and ultimately laid the foundation for me to seek the spiritual source of their character achievements, and though there were many the following come to mind: First there was my grandfather who was a farmer who delighted in having my brother I come to spend the summer on his farm. He seemed to have gotten so much joy from just having us around him. He unselfishly took care of us, and taught us by example as well as instructions in the way of life. I really appreciated his unselfishness and concern towards me.
Next there was a neighbor who always encouraged me and congratulated me on my academic success when I was in six grade. When I took my report card to her, she always seemed to get so much joy from my success. I liked her positive attitude.
Then there was my mother-in-law who took my family in, fed, and sheltered us while we made the adjustment to civilian life. She gave up her bedroom to my wife and myself, and offered moral support for my desire to go to college. She was a very loving person, and I shall never forget the love, the kindness and consideration she showed me during that dark transition period.
Then there was the ophthalmologist who took a personal interest in me aside from his professional relationship, and encouraged me and guided my footsteps to becoming a physician. He always took time to encourage, counsel and spend time with me even though he was very busy, and he continued to follow my progress even after I graduated from medical school and began practice until he died. I am eternally grateful for his unselfish concern for my progress.
Then there was the Dean of Men who was also a veteran. He really wanted the veterans to succeed. He took an interest in me, and offered emergency financial support if I needed it. I really appreciated his kindness, encouragement and his moral support.
Finally there were my aunt and uncle who rescued me from spiritual darkness, and pointed me towards the light. They were such kind and loving people. And they continued to be that way until they left the planet.
One should not receive so much, and not feel inspired to help others.
Dr. Perry
Dear blogging partner Dr. Perry, I am humbled and inspired by your list of persons who were instrumental in assisting your character growth. It is assuring to see the divine provision for the nurture of a promising leader, as people, from the goodness of their hearts, have reached out to you, even as you do to us in this forum.
As I reflect over my life, and examine those persons who were instrumental in assisting my character growth, and ultimately laid the foundation for me to seek the spiritual source of their character achievements, and though there were many the following come to mind: First there was my grandfather who was a farmer who delighted in having my brother I come to spend the summer on his farm. He seemed to have gotten so much joy from just having us around him. He unselfishly took care of us, and taught us by example as well as instructions in the way of life. I really appreciated his unselfishness and concern towards me.
Next there was a neighbor who always encouraged me and congratulated me on my academic success when I was in six grade. When I took my report card to her, she always seemed to get so much joy from my success. I liked her positive attitude.
Then there was my mother-in-law who took my family in, fed, and sheltered us while we made the adjustment to civilian life. She gave up her bedroom to my wife and myself, and offered moral support for my desire to go to college. She was a very loving person, and I shall never forget the love, the kindness and consideration she showed me during that dark transition period.
Then there was the ophthalmologist who took a personal interest in me aside from his professional relationship, and encouraged me and guided my footsteps to becoming a physician. He always took time to encourage, counsel and spend time with me even though he was very busy, and he continued to follow my progress even after I graduated from medical school and began practice until he died. I am eternally grateful for his unselfish concern for my progress.
Then there was the Dean of Men who was also a veteran. He really wanted the veterans to succeed. He took an interest in me, and offered emergency financial support if I needed it. I really appreciated his kindness, encouragement and his moral support.
Finally there were my aunt and uncle who rescued me from spiritual darkness, and pointed me towards the light. They were such kind and loving people. And they continued to be that way until they left the planet.
One should not receive so much, and not feel inspired to help others.
Dr. Perry
Dear blogging partner Dr. Perry, I am humbled and inspired by your list of persons who were instrumental in assisting your character growth. It is assuring to see the divine provision for the nurture of a promising leader, as people, from the goodness of their hearts, have reached out to you, even as you do to us in this forum.
The cultivation of character has been a focus of mine now for about a decade. It really took off when my son was born as I truly believe that so much of our character is attributed to those closest to us, and our parents are paramount in this regard. Confucius, I argue, was spot on in this regard, and his focus on the family is solid philosophy. But as we grow older and begin to find our own path it is really we as individuals who must find our own modes of character, arete, virtue, call it what you will. But I still contend that ultimately character is not the work of some atomic individual. Again and again I find deep connections between ideas such as character, friendship, love, and culture. While it may be possible to be virtuous amidst a debased culture, it ain’t easy! And while sometimes when our world is falling about, the best may shine forth. These are exemplary people, and their position as exemplary is so by virtue of the fact that they can shine amidst ugliness and even evil. But I don’t think that character and excellence are traits only for the truly extraordinary. Living well with good character is a good in any case, whether it comes easy through a good and loving family and an enriching and enlivening culture, or if it comes from ones will despite abject hardship. We may find the one who overcomes admirable, and with good reason, but I would like to see to it that my son develops good character with help and love from his family, and through being exposed to the best things that I can show him in our cultures and other cultures. Hence, I would hope that he will be happy and will flourish.
Charles, I am truly moved to see your voice gracing this forum once again. As I recall the happiness in your face in the last picture I can recall seeing–I think it was with your son–I feel confident that you are enabling him to make his own discoveries of truth, beauty, and goodness that will enable his character to flourish. I’m also happy to see increasing numbers of thoughtful folks in the West who are discovering and appreciating the treasures of Chinese philosophy. Since you and I worked together on Sartre, you have been growing as a philosopher in a most satisfying way. Best wishes as you continue your adventure.
The cultivation of character has been a focus of mine now for about a decade. It really took off when my son was born as I truly believe that so much of our character is attributed to those closest to us, and our parents are paramount in this regard. Confucius, I argue, was spot on in this regard, and his focus on the family is solid philosophy. But as we grow older and begin to find our own path it is really we as individuals who must find our own modes of character, arete, virtue, call it what you will. But I still contend that ultimately character is not the work of some atomic individual. Again and again I find deep connections between ideas such as character, friendship, love, and culture. While it may be possible to be virtuous amidst a debased culture, it ain’t easy! And while sometimes when our world is falling about, the best may shine forth. These are exemplary people, and their position as exemplary is so by virtue of the fact that they can shine amidst ugliness and even evil. But I don’t think that character and excellence are traits only for the truly extraordinary. Living well with good character is a good in any case, whether it comes easy through a good and loving family and an enriching and enlivening culture, or if it comes from ones will despite abject hardship. We may find the one who overcomes admirable, and with good reason, but I would like to see to it that my son develops good character with help and love from his family, and through being exposed to the best things that I can show him in our cultures and other cultures. Hence, I would hope that he will be happy and will flourish.
Charles, I am truly moved to see your voice gracing this forum once again. As I recall the happiness in your face in the last picture I can recall seeing–I think it was with your son–I feel confident that you are enabling him to make his own discoveries of truth, beauty, and goodness that will enable his character to flourish. I’m also happy to see increasing numbers of thoughtful folks in the West who are discovering and appreciating the treasures of Chinese philosophy. Since you and I worked together on Sartre, you have been growing as a philosopher in a most satisfying way. Best wishes as you continue your adventure.