Does Character Still Count?

Does character matter? In these last days of the 2020 election cycle, the question weighs heavily regarding those vying for public office, whether on the federal, state or local level. I’m using the word character as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual, not the “he’s quite a character” image. I also accept that attributes and behaviors such as integrity, hard work, kindness and self-control are consistent with the concept of good character. 

 

Good character is often written about in our sacred texts. The Jews were encouraged to live by the Ten Commandments, and the book of Proverbs has many enjoinders to a life of good character. Micah 6:8 sums up the actions of good character: “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” In the New Testament, followers of Jesus were challenged to have “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience” (Colossians 3). In Islamic teaching, the person of faith does not unjustly harm other people with their words and actions. In the realm of faith, character matters.

 

Good character was evident in the lives of the early leaders of our country. In his book, “Founding Father,” Richard Brookhiser writes of George Washington: morals and manners were “the way he governed himself.” Ben Franklin went so far as to create a list of virtues to guide his personal living: temperance, silence (avoiding trifling conversation), order, resolution, frugality, industry (hard work), sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Abraham Lincoln is recognized as a man of character, honored with the Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development at Lincoln College. The center describes Lincoln: “Through constant practice and diligent effort . . . he treated others whom he encountered with honesty, humility, courage, justice, and grace.” If our American heritage still has value, character does matter.

 

In writing about political leadership, Benjamin Rossi suggests that “at minimum, we think that there is a moral threshold below which a politician is disqualified from the advantages of office. Where exactly that threshold lies is a matter of debate . . .” 

 

Here’s the challenge for me. Should this threshold of character be consistent regardless of party affiliation, or might it shift based on which candidate or party we favor? A favorite  source of wisdom is Yogi Berra, credited with advice such as, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” His Yogi-isms are classic, even if not all sayings attributed to Mr. Berra actually were his. As Yogi famously said, “I never said most of the things I said.”

 

I’ve long thought Yogi said, “Where you stand depends on where you sit,” but the internet tells me these words were uttered by Rufus Miles Jr., of the Federal Bureau of the Budget in the late ‘40s. It does sound like Yogi might have said this, but no, this is Miles’ Law. It suggests that people will pursue policies that benefit the organizations or viewpoints they represent rather than national or collective interests. 

 

Here’s an example. The following two statements were made by a prominent person in the U.S.. First, “As it turns out, character does matter. You can’t run a family, let alone a country, without character. How foolish to believe that a person who lacks honesty and moral integrity is able to lead a nation and the world.” Yet he also said, “It is about values, and truth, and greatness, and hope. That is why the notion of choosing a president based on frivolous personality characteristics is so unfortunate.” I’m not sure how he defines “frivolous personality characteristics.” Kindness, honesty, care? For context, this first statement came in the midst of President Clinton’s impeachment trial; the second in recent days. Where you stand does depend on where you sit. 

 

When I talk with my granddaughters about how they act with their friends, I often caution: “Don’t be one of the mean girls.” Character still counts. How we treat others matters, in politics and on the playground. Today, I’ll let “Dear Abby” have the final word: “The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good.” Sound advice for 2020.