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.
