Character matters because it shapes everything

Character matters. The other day I looked over some of the many columns I have written over the years for many newspapers and magazines, and one of the most common themes I have written about was about character — what it is and why it matters.

And I found many of my essays and columns used the words of the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who wrote them over 2,500 years ago as a guide: “Character is destiny.”

What did he mean?

I think he meant that of all things among individuals or societies, the one most important thing is character because it shapes everything. And character is the totality of a person or society; for individuals, character is the heart, mind and body.

I know for some, character feels old fashioned, but it is not.

Tell me who a person or society says it is, and I will show you what is likely to happen, their destinies or fate.

Character is like the imprint made on clay or paper; it is always there and always powerful.

I certainly don’t consider myself a character without f laws.

I have made and often repeated some of the same mistakes over my lifetime.

But I have always tried to learn from my mistakes and tried not to repeat them.

I suppose one mark of character is being clear about who you are, your strengths and weaknesses, and learning how best to live.

As I have thought about the people I most admire as having character, here are some of the traits I have observed.

They seek truth and don’t lie.

They try to treat others with kindness. They admit mistakes. They think before speaking. They laugh at themselves. They take responsibility for their actions and don’t blame others for their own decisions.

They seek to make life better for everyone, especially those who need the most help.

As I sit here writing above my desk is a photograph of a man with character, someone who impacted my life for the better.

In the newspaper photo, this nearly 80-year-old man is leaning on his cane in a crowd of mostly young people protesting the building of a power plant in his state which he felt was a danger to the planet.

He stood for something greater than himself, something that might harm the environment.

Whenever I get discouraged about the world, I look at that photo and remember him.

And so, I return to a theme I found throughout my writings over the years — character matters.

It shapes who we are and where we are heading.

And the test of character is embodied in a question I ask whenever I consider someone:

Would I want my child to grow up to be like this this person?

If you answer this honestly, it will tell you what you need to know.

John C. Morgan is a writer who also teaches ethics and philosophy at Albright College’s School of Professional Studies.