"Good luck is the willing handmaid of a upright and energetic character, and conscientious observance of duty."

Character

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on character by James Russell Lowell resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in character is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. He is associated with the fireside poets, a group of New England writers who were among the first American poets to rival the popularity of British poets. These writers usually used conventional forms and meters in their poetry, making them suitable for families entertaining at their firesides.

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"It's continuously humbling to work hard, you know? As long as you've got a good work ethic and a sense of humor, I don't think anybody can become too much of an egoist under those circumstances."

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"It is a profound truth that the test of character in leadership is how one behaves in moments of unvarnished power — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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