HUMAN CHARACTER
What makes up a person’s character? Is it the things we do and the things we say? In some ways, we can say “yes” . . . but aspects of a person’s character go deeper, combining emotional qualities with intellectual traits: a synthesis of conscience, moral values, and ethical decisions. Physical ability and academic training may go hand in hand with a person’s emotional and mental make-up, but they are not identical with character.
Many things that we do in life are acquired skills, learned from parents, teachers, friends and others. These are skills we often improve over time through practice: one can learn to sing, dance, paint, make objects, kick or throw a ball, prepare a meal, fix a car, write a poem. You could meet an artist who paints well but what does the painting tell us of that person’s character? You could meet three people who can all cook a delicious dinner but does that mean they all have the same personality, the same character?
However much our statements and actions may be perceived as reflecting our character, no single statement, no single action in and of itself is enough to describe the deeper layers of a person’s character. There are, indeed, various traits that make up a human being’s personality but character is something deeper, the foundation for our behavior and choices: invisible inner qualities from which arise our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
To better understand a person’s character, we have to know what a person thinks and feels, says and does, over a long period of time to gain true insight into their character. Sometimes a single action may define a person’s character, as when in a moment of crisis a person acts either very bravely or very cowardly, but in general it is best to allow plenty of time to pass before forming an opinion.
It is, of course, a great compliment to say a person has a good character, but what is “character”? What are these good traits to have? Which virtues are the most important for an individual, a people to hold dear? And what can these virtues tell us about a people who consider them the most precious ones of all to uphold, as a matter of honor?
CHARACTER VIRTUES AMONG NATIVE AMERICANS
Honesty
truthfulness / do not lie / your word is your bond / never break it
Loyalty
to family / to friend / to village, tribe, or nation
Compassion
kindness / helping others / empathy with those who suffer or are less fortunate than you
Courage
bravery in the face of danger and to protect others from danger
Humility
be humble, modest / show awe and reverence for the Great Spirit Mystery
Wisdom
lead a good life / experience, knowledge, virtue will lead
to deeper understanding of life and respect as an elder
Respect life and all living things because, as the Sioux (Lakota) say:
Mitakuye oyasin “We are all related!”
