[December 5, 2015] Someone once said that when you see how people handle crises, you get to see what kind of people they are. I agree. I will also add that character is not only developed through hard times but it is done daily, day after day, many times over by knowing what is right and doing what is right even when distractions get in the way. As Aristotle would say, this means developing one’s judgment to see and understand the good in eternal truths of the ages.
“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” – Seneca
He also writes that we need to do more than to simply know and understand what good virtue is but that we must also become good and do good things. As many respected philosophers and wise people have written about over time, the key ingredient to character development is wisdom – the ability to see situations and combined with knowledge of right principles to reach sound judgments in moral matters. This is not easy.
Good character therefore matures through our trials and difficulties; teaching us how to behave and to think. Resilience, through our personal experience with hard times, is a critical part of our capability to withstand the obstacles and disruptions that threaten to overwhelm. To some who are less strong mentally and emotionally, perhaps they cannot tolerate those life’s trials and therefore do not develop a tough and first-rate character.
An important point here is that it is not just good enough for one to develop sound character in one’s self. For we know that character inspires others to think and act by example. Many examples can be found throughout the history of humankind how whole populations have been moved by the action of a single person with great character; the country of India through the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi quickly comes to mind.
“The soul never thinks without a picture.” – Aristotle
Thus the development of sound character does not end with one’s own good qualities but on others who are influenced by a person with such character. Sound character not only inspires, it in itself manifests a kind of argument that has both a persuasive and compelling effect on others. That is what the Jesuits mean in their tradition when they say “a man for others.”
[Don’t forget to “Like” the Leader Maker at our Facebook Page.]
————————
Note: One of the better on-line references to Aristotle can be found here: http://philosophy.lander.edu/intro/reading.shtml#Life