Does Character Really Count?
Why do I ask, "does character really count"? -- Because it is becoming more and more apparent in this nation of ours, that it does not count. Some constantly argue that there is no connection between one's personal life and one's business or political abilities. In a newspaper article, a sociologist made this observation: "Character has been bred out of many Americans, especially baby boomers and their children." He stated that years of pampering and organized activities and "feel-good" approaches in which participants do not have to take personal responsibility have made character almost passé. Is character becoming passé? If so, we as a nation are in deep trouble."An individual step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual."
Sir Robert Baden-PowellTo educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.
- Theodore RooseveltWe are educating more and more "menaces to society" every day. Morals and character development go hand in hand. One can not have strong moral convictions without strong character and a person of character will have strong morals. I believe you can not separate the two.
An anonymous sage wrote, "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."
"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain (what I consider the most enviable of all titles) the character of an Honest Man."George Washington (1732-1799)
In a letter to Alexander Hamilton, August 28, 1788
