120 philosophical essays you must read in your life

Chapter 50

Chapter 3 Section 7 Strength of Character and Personality

[United States] Orison Madden

We live in an age of mad chasing after money, yet a strange phenomenon is that even in such an age, ragged, penniless writers, artists and plainly dressed university presidents, they The more prestigious, the newspapers are more willing to spare no space to report their whereabouts or activities.The reason for this contrast may be due to the fact that the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of wealth are two different activities. The former has many positive effects, while the latter has a lot of negative effects.We can almost say with certainty that in a world where money is the standard, one person's success must be at the cost of the failure of hundreds of competitors; It is almost a law that success is also a contribution to society.

Individuality is the stamp we stamp on things, and it is this indelible stamp that determines the full value of all men and all labor.We all believe in mature people.What a magic a great name signifies!Theodore?A line Parker used to say was that Socrates was worth far more to a nation than a state like South Carolina.

The politician John who served as the British prime minister twice?Russell said: "In England there is a natural tendency in all political parties to seek the help of men of genius, but they are guided only by men of great character."

"By developing character and individuality, I have at last acquired real strength," wrote Canning, the eminent English statesman, in 1801. "I have tried no other route. I also believe that this road may not be the most convenient. , but it is the safest, and I am very optimistic about this.”

For a machine, we can test its performance according to the maximum pressure it can withstand, but the temperature of the room may determine its performance.But who can estimate the inner strength of a great character and personality?Who could have guessed that a child or two might have an effect on the character of a school?A school's traditions, customs, and behaviors may be completely changed just because of such a few students with extraordinary personalities, and after several generations of students' changes.These students are like the kind of power that is often seen in daily life, and their role is somewhat similar to that of a locomotive pulling a long train of freight cars, and they use their insignificant—but as important as those customs and traditions— The method transformed all of this and became a campus hero.Almost every school teacher can tell you some story like this: how a few powerful students made the school better or ruined it.

【Together with you】

Indeed, by developing character and individuality, we will eventually gain true strength.Character and personality are the conscience of an era and society, and the backbone of justice, faith, and integrity.People with noble character are the real wealth of society.No wonder Parker said that Socrates was worth far more than a state like South Carolina.Because their success is in itself the greatest contribution to society.Similarly, Churchill once declared to the world: "We would rather have a Shakespeare than the British Isles." Conscience guides us in our troubles and anxiety about death, in cruelty and sin, and guides us from loneliness, ruthlessness brought out of the world.

(End of this chapter)