What is characer with regard to people? First, it is imporant to define and distinuguish the difference between character and reputation. Second, it is important to state that everyone has character and that there is good character and bad character.

Character is the aggregate of  features, mental and ethical traits making and individualizing a person. A person is born with character which inevitably is subject to change.

Reputation is the overall quality or character as judged by people in general. It is what other people think about a person as differentiated from character which is who a person really is. The difference can be stated in this manner: Your reputation is merely what other people think of you;  your character is what you really are.

What about the nature of character? While the nature of character is good or perhaps good in its  original state, in its developing or aging state it can be good or bad or good and bad. Good character qualities or traits include, but are not limited to, honesty, integrity, dependability, loyalty and enthusiasm. Bad character qualities are the opposite of good character qualities. 

The Good character person is likely to have some bad qualities and the bad character person is likely to have some good character qualities. But for the bad character person there is a preponderance of evidence regarding his bad character behavior. On the other hand, there is a preponderance of evidence that is prononced and consistently manifested in the life of the person of good character. A person's bad character qualities do not negate or make void his good character qualities. This is not to say that the person of good character is not capable of committing some horrible act.

Oftentime when  people speak of character they are referring to good character. When they speak of bad character they may not mention character but instead refer to the bad character person as a liar, molester, criminal, etc.

Because it is necessary for people to have good character, not merely for the improvement of people, but for building community and the on-going creation of a better world where there is freedom, justice and equality for all and world peace, there is the need for having a scientific approach in the development of good character which is rooted in the nature of the Creator and can be measured in the effectiveness of the actualization of human potential.

The number one obstacle to developing good character in people on a large scale is greed which is the driving force behind man's inhumanity to man. Greed accounts for coveteosness, violence, hoarding and exploitation in general.

Be yourself in keeping with  your Divine nature. Be of good character. The life-enhancing dividends resulting from possessing good character are enormous. They include good health, joy and a long life. Never is the assertion "one making a difference" more appropriate than when it is applied in the development and expression of good character.

In this discussion good character, not love, has been emphasized. But good and love are inseparable in discusisng good character, especially as it relates to living. Love is what love does. If what is done is not good it is not love. It is not an accident that this discussion  on character ends focusing on love which, in fact, is what it has been about from the beginning.

Copyright 2015 by Uriah J. Fields