Laws control the lesser man . . . . Right conduct controls the greater one. – Mark Twain
Someone with a strong character needs no external guide or precepts to determine behavior.
Where do you look for guidance?
Do you consult “laws” to see what’s acceptable?
Or do you consult your ethics to see what’s right?
A life lived consulting ethics is a much more satisfying – albeit sometimes more challenging – life.
This week’s external resource isn’t what I set out to find. After checking Wharton’s Knowledge@Wharton, I went to my trusty stand-by: the HBR Blogs. But even there I didn’t find what I had initially sought: something by Umair Haque or Tony Schwartz. Instead, I found this great article by Judith Glaser. As soon as she mentioned cortisol…
There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world. – Robert Louis Stevenson . . . because it has two important benefits: 1) you get to be happy 2) you serve as a living, breathing model of what to do….
Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship. – General Omar Bradley So many people take their cues from without. Whether it’s loved ones, friends, co-workers/bosses or popular culture, so many are (heavily) influenced by the continuous and myriad messages that permeate modern life. The cure? Learn to be…
Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. – Emerson On the heels of yesterday’s post, let me ask: What are you rejecting? What do you wish…
Every calamity is a spur and a valuable hint. – Emerson In every experience there are two questions one can ask: #1 – Is there a lesson in this? #2 – What’s the lesson in this? Just asking Question One is a great step. A wonderful sign of willingness. Asking Question Two is what all happy,…
Where does the energy, and perseverance, to do important, meaningful things come from? The origin of that well is the soul. The details are the thoughts, habits and actions of one’s life. * * * The only way to do great things is to know what great things are to you – to your soul. When you know…