[BOOK][B] Colleges that Encourage Character Development: A Resource for Parents, Students and Educators

John Templeton Foundation - 1999 - books.google.com
John Templeton Foundation
1999books.google.com
Rooted in the Greek word charakter, the term “character" has come to mean the constellation
of strengths and weaknesses that form and reveal who we are. Our character does not
consist of a single statement or a random act but of those qualities and dispositions that we
practice consistently—both good and bad. Assessing our character means taking an
inventory of our dominant thoughts and actions. As Aristotle once said," We are what we
repeatedly do." Character is not engraved by age six—or even sixteen. We can change and …
Rooted in the Greek word charakter, the term “character" has come to mean the constellation of strengths and weaknesses that form and reveal who we are. Our character does not consist of a single statement or a random act but of those qualities and dispositions that we practice consistently—both good and bad. Assessing our character means taking an inventory of our dominant thoughts and actions. As Aristotle once said," We are what we repeatedly do." Character is not engraved by age six—or even sixteen. We can change and improve our character. However, like a comfortable pair of shoes, selfishness, laziness, dishonesty, and irresponsibility are easy to slip into. But the uplifting message of character development is that we can acquire a good and sound character-one that is durable yet evolving. All it takes is hard work and commitment. Just as a mountain is constantly being reshaped by weather patterns, our character is reshaped by the different choices we make and the virtues we choose to practice. In much the same way, our choices develop our character and our character determines our choices. A popular definition of character is" what we do when no one is looking." We often think that a person's character is" tested" in response to various temptations and challenges (" No! I won't cheat, even if nobody is looking.") Other definitions emphasize character as the capacity to draw a line where none exists. Indeed, people of good character are usually described as having strong principles such as truthfulness and fairness. As Mark Twain once wrote," In matters of opinion, swim with the fish; but in matters of principles, stand firm like a rock."
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