Archive for January, 2008

Character is what you have left when you’ve lost everything you can lose.

Rantings January 13th, 2008

 "Character is what you have left when you’ve lost everything you can lose." - Evan Esar

I came across this quote, and it made me think deeply of my life. Of the things that I do daily, how many do I do for my character? I do a lot of things for a lot of different reasons - money, love, fame, recognition. But, have I given my character due attention it deserves? What will be left of me when I have lost everything - my job, my family, my home, my country, my clothes? Am I selfish? Do I speak lies often? What are my emotional afflictions - jealousy, anger, procastination? Do I have enough of empathy? How do I face defeat? Do I behave when I win? What is most important to me - honesty, truth, hardwork?

This one quote, made me think - think about my character. How does I look when I’m naked under the testing eyes of my own conscience? Do I find myself to be of good character - not just moral but also of humane character, physical character, mental character, professional character?

Do I really understand what it means to have a good character? Should I not set a goal to metamorphose myself into one having impeccable character like all goals and plans for my life?

I think I need to give it due thought. I will try repeating this quote to myself each morning, for a start.

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