Another dialogue with Jane about character

Jane says:

“The art of character! I like that phrase. Let us discuss this. I started looking up the phrase and came upon this wordpress site:

http://artofmanliness.com/2011/10/15/manvotional-character-2/

I still make character mistakes, but keep the focus on one thing only: Whatever action I take, my character stands in front of my name. This statement has helped me greatly in the last ten years. I say what I mean, and mean what I say. I can be counted on most of the time. I add, most of the time, because I also realize there is nothing I can do 100% because I am human.

I am very sad about the condition of the world. If women ruled the world, would it be a better world? I do not know. I am very saddened to see world leaders, and people who run corporations cheat, lie, steal, strive, manipulate and aggress. It has been happening since the beginning of time. When I was born, there were 3.5 billion people on earth. Now there are 7 billion. The earth is more crowded, and technology has also made it possible to see treachery as it happens in real-time.”

My Answer:

“Intellectual capacity is sometimes found associated with the meanest moral character—with abject servility to those in high places, and arrogance to those of low estate. A man may be accomplished in art, literature, and science, and yet, in honesty, virtue, truthfulness, and the spirit of duty, be entitled to take rank after many a poor and illiterate peasant.”

That´s the perfect description of many truly gifted “intellectuals” especially in Romania. They can be brilliant in their specific area, but at the same time, they have virtually no character whatsoever. As he very well puts it, “An abject servility to those in high places”.

And that is so discouraging and disconcerting…so incredibly sordid and low-minded…They write fantastic books and in reality they are no more than a bunch of pathetic scoundrels.

Cowardice, endless stint, rapacity, bigotry and hypocrisy everywhere, at all levels…This is our time.

It is easy to understand why the world is in this present condition – we are short of individuals with “undeviating adherence to truth, integrity, and uprightness”.

Honour and real virtue seem to have become some kind of dusty, obsolete objects in a forlorn museum.

You say beautifully : ” Whatever action I take, my character stands in front of my name I say what I mean, and mean what I say. I can be counted on most of the time.” – for sure, that`s the way I perceive you; the world needs more individuals like you.

So, if you look objectively around us we have all reasons to yield to gloom.

ON THE OTHER HAND  , the best way to “change” the world is to take away the focus from the present reality, and look at life through the veil of eternal joy…

Strength, lucidity, composure, right measure, trust…These are our invaluable gifts.”