In his book “The Road to character” David
Brooks uses biographies of individuals who,
we would say, have character.
Each chapter takes a single character trait
and gives a biography of a person who encompasses
it.
These are the character traits we strive to
obtain.
Here are few facts from The Road to Character
by David Brooks:
One.
The Shift.
We are built from ‘crooked timber’.
Immanuel Kant stated, “out of the crooked
timber of humanity, no straight thing was
ever made.”
Have an awareness of your flaws.
Character is built from the struggle against
your own weakness.
Character isn’t only built through struggle.
Two.
Self-conquest.
We all have sins we struggle with.
Our modern definition of sin is something
which has been so overused and exploited that
we don’t know its actual meaning.
Sin, according to Brooks, is a thing we internally
struggle with.
Sin is a tilt on something in our character
that can make us great, but if twisted, can
be our downfall.
Four.
Struggle.
Instead of recoiling from the cause of their
suffering, individuals double down.
they embrace the suffering.
They throw themselves deeply into the thing
which makes them suffer.
Suffering, unlike happiness, becomes a burdensome
treasure.
Happiness brings pleasure.
Suffering cultivates character.
Five.
Self-Mastery.
Remain professional in your professional life
and personal in your personal life.
The two have a distinct line.
To do your best work you need to be present.
To have the greatest relationships you need
to be present.
David Brooks gives us down to earth advice
on how to improve ourselves and change our
ways for the better.
If you want to follow this path and learn
the many lessons from David Brooks, grab the
detailed summary and analysis of “The Road
to Character” by David Brooks by clicking
the link in the description below.
