We mourn the death of our longest living president, George H.W.Bush, heroic in his life and lifestyle as pointed out by both sides of the aisle; both democrats and republicans. Perhaps both sides truly do respect an honorable man living an honorable life even if every policy he supported did not please everyone.
Consider our own lives. Consider quotes from famous writers. They often infer that intent and follow through for a good end is the essence of living honorably. Fame by itself is not important. Born to the throne is not important. Born with brilliance and beauty and athletic prowness are not the path to honor; at least not by themselves. It is what we do with our gifts, or better yet what we do overcoming our lack of gifts that is a better measure of honor.
Henry Clay said, “Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.”
He certainly, if he were speaking today, would say ‘men and women’. He sums it up nicely; character is available to us all and may be developed by us all by making decisions for the good. One does not have to be brilliant or beautiful or famous or athletic to have character.
So I ask you, my readers to respond. Tell me about those people in your life or in public life who you believe have character and why.
I know many. I was fortunate to have a father who taught me daily about character. He was able to clearly point out in his stories about the honing of character when people acted in certain ways. I was fortunate that my mother, who was not quite as naturally philosophical, lived a life doing the right thing even when it was difficult.
Tell me about your experiences. I am so interested.
K. B. Pellegrino
Kathleen lives with her husband Joe and their dog Othello midst their large family in Springfield, Massachusetts.
"My love affair with plots, murder, mystery, spies and, in general, with crime novels began at an early age. I read and read – probably have read 2,000 crime novels since then. Even at an early age, I developed my own plots if only to cover up my misdeeds to the chagrin of my family and teachers. Some less creative called it fibbing!
Now I write from the love of plot – of people and their ways –of life – of philosophy – about crime –about the sociopath/psychopath."
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