Buch lesen: «The Book Of Values»
The Book of Values
An Inspirational Guide to Our Moral Dilemmas
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Yaël Eylat-Tanaka
Copyright
Copyright 2014 © Yaël Eylat-Tanaka. The Book of Values. All rights reserved forever. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, graphic, electronic, or mechanical without express written permission from the author.
Legal Disclaimer: The contents of this book represent the views of its author. No warranty as to the efficacy and appropriateness of the advice and techniques mentioned or alluded to should be inferred. The author hereby disclaims any personal or professional loss or liability caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the use of the information herein presented.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright
Other books by this author
Preface
Introduction
Acceptance
Accountability
Allegiance
Ambition
Appreciation
Beauty
Benevolence
Bravery
Bushido
Caring
Caution
Character
Chastity
Cheerfulness
Commitment
Compassion
Confidence
Consideration
Contentment
Cooperation
Courage
Courtesy
Creativity
Curiosity
Decorum
Defiance
Dependability
Detachment
Determination
Devotion
Diligence
Discernment
Discipline
Discretion
Eloquence
Empathy
Endurance
Enthusiasm
Ethics
Excellence
Faith
Faithfulness
Fidelity
Flexibility
Focus
Forbearance
Forgiveness
Fortitude
Freedom
Friendship
Frugality
Generosity
Gentleness
Grace
Graciousness
Gratitude
Grit
Happiness
Helpfulness
Honesty
Honor
Hope
Humility
Humor
Idealism
Impartiality
Innocence
Integrity
Joy
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge/Study
Love
Loyalty
Meekness
Mercy
Modesty
Moderation
Morality
Moxie/Mettle
Nobility
Openness
Optimism
Orderliness
Patience
Peace
Perfection
Perseverance/Persistence
Piety
Pleasure
Politeness
Pride
Prudence
Punctuality
Purity
Purposefulness
Reliability
Remorse
Reputation
Resilience
Resolve
Resourcefulness
Responsibility
Restraint
Righteousness
Self-Respect
Sensitivity
Serenity
Silence
Simplicity
Sincerity
Sobriety
Spontaneity
Steadfastness
Substance
Tact
Temperance
Tenacity
Thrift
Tolerance
Toughness
Tranquility
Tribute
Trustworthiness
Truth
Understanding
Valor
Veracity
Vitality
Virtue
Wisdom
Wonder
Work
Zeal
About The Author
Preface
WHY THIS BOOK
Society has become all too casual, from attire to speech. Behavior has followed suit, as have attitudes and sentiments. Within the pages of this book are time-honored principles that are as relevant today as they have always been, and do not impede freedom in society, but rather encourage harmony and a healthy expression of societal conventions. Morality is as applicable to today’s lifestyle as it was in the past.
Our moral values have not been lost. They are sometimes displayed in magnificent glory, as in the memorial museum of 9/11; at other times, they seem to lie dormant. Yet, they are present in all of us, and like the seedling that bursts through the fresh snow, they ultimately lift up their hearts and shine toward the light.
I have written this book without wishing to preach, without invoking religion, and without championing a particular philosophy. It is clear, however, that certain behaviors cause more problems than they solve, and therefore, it might behoove us to examine our thinking and belief systems so as to engender as much pleasure and happiness as possible for ourselves and those we interact with. This book should not be taken as a taskmaster, but should serve as a beacon, a guidepost to thought, and behavior.
You may find that some quotes and the text that follows, overlap; indeed, some of the values described share in significance and connotation.
The quotes herein are taken from historical luminaries, as well as from contemporary celebrities. I have attempted as best I can to assign proper attribution to each.
Yaël Eylat-Tanaka, 2014
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Introduction
“Aspire to decency. Practice civility toward one another. Admire and emulate ethical behavior wherever you find it. Apply a rigid standard of morality to your lives; and if, periodically, you fail as you surely will adjust your lives, not the standards.”
~ Ted Koppel
From the beginning of time, moral codes have governed society. Morals were a set of rules for behavior that made it possible for living things to coexist. Those living things comprise not only human beings, but also certain members of the animal kingdom – lions, hyenas, wolves, and several other species. Rules had to be developed in order to establish an acceptable pecking order and ascribe a role for the alpha male’s status versus the young male vis-à-vis mating or feeding rights within that society, all for the purpose of smooth coexistence and harmonious interaction of the group members. While the pecking order among animals has remained fairly constant and predictable in establishing acceptable behavior, such is not the case among humans has not.
As civilization evolved, many of the rules that had been so useful in promoting and sustaining successful societies have been examined, tested, and reconfigured in favor of the current much more relaxed, devil-may-care attitude that reflects upon all facets of contemporary society, from lack of scruples in business to Wall Street greed and mendacity; from politics to the marital bed. Such overhaul in attitudes has also resulted in the epidemic of anxiety and depression that are rampant throughout the modern world.
This is not a summons to don the mantle of the cloth, or an endorsement to espouse a particular faith. It is about the timeless relevance of some rules of behavior that encompass much more than mere superficial courtesies; rules of behavior that are universal, that reach across our entire lives, both within our psyche and among our brethren.
Humans are flawed. We are endowed with all the qualities and potentials that can make us heroes or villains. It is a matter of choice, then, to decide the path our life will take, our role in the world, and the legacy we leave behind.
Wise men and women have spoken these thoughts before. From the eloquent lips of Winston Churchill to the ministerial heartfelt hopes of Mandela, from Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey to George Washington and Voltaire. Peace, faith, and charity are not simply lofty words heard from the pulpit; they are not old-fashioned and irrelevant – on the contrary: they are as relevant and significant today as they ever were.
Find your soul amid these words.
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Acceptance
"For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain." ~Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
Our lives are marred by change. Change is the only constant. Yet, how often do we endeavor to change our environment, change the people in it, or their reactions and consequent behaviors? Change oftentimes is beyond our control. From inclement weather at inappropriate times to the behavior of others, we cannot change what has been, nor largely manipulate what will be. Our childhood memories are emblazoned in our minds, sometimes intact, oftentimes distorted by emotions and interpretations; and what happened a second ago, such as a bit of bad news, is just as much part of our past. Yet we spin our wheels, tormenting ourselves with thoughts of what could have been, what we might have done differently, what we might have said, or indeed, what others could have or should have said or done, with nary a thought to the impossibility of changing what is.
If a friend said something hurtful, it is pointless to think of what she should have said; it is senseless to lie awake at night thinking of what we could have replied in retort. It is done. It is in the past. There is only acceptance of what is. It may have been hurtful, and our pained feelings must be acknowledged and accepted. Indeed, it is only from the point of acceptance that any change can occur.
Stop engaging in mental calisthenics worrying about what you cannot change.
Accountability
“It is wrong and immoral to seek to escape the consequences of one's acts.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
A popular buzz phrase has evolved in our everyday lexicon: I am responsible. Everyone, it seems, from CEOs to politicians, is donning a mantle of “responsibility.” The word – and sentiment – has become so prevalent and popular, that it is almost losing its meaning. This is evidenced by some flowery speeches from some notables who mouth the words, but seem to escape without the consequences of such “assumed” responsibility.
What does it mean to be responsible? Without justifying mistakes, rationalizing poor judgment, or blaming misinformation, how do we manage this onus of responsibility? Can we find compelling reasons to explain away a situation?
To be responsible for one’s actions and the outcomes of one’s choices and decisions means that the onus is on us. Completely. We create everything that happens to us, good and bad. Indeed, nothing happens of its own. We are not victims; we are not helpless. Everything in our lives is there because of some choice we made. We cannot blame others for whatever predicament we are in.
The concept that we create everything in our lives is sometimes very difficult to accept, because it can be a formidable weight to grapple with. However, it is also extremely liberating, because if we realize that we created something undesirable, however unconsciously or inadvertently, we can also create the opposite. We do not have to wait on the charity of others to get us out of our misery.
When events beyond our control wreak havoc, we still bear the responsibility of how we will react to those events. A major disaster, an illness, a death - all can be learning and growing opportunities, sharpening the blade, strengthening the twig.
Whatever the situation may be - joblessness, obesity, broken relationship - by accepting that we are at the center of the situation, and that we played a role in the situation, releases us from fretfulness, and begins to open doors to solutions and a redesigned life.
Allegiance
“Truth is a tyrant - the only tyrant to whom we can give our allegiance. The service of truth is a matter of heroism.” ~John F. Kennedy
Allegiance is commitment to a cause or a people. It is loyalty, and the willingness to follow a purported hero, or submit to the rules of a cause. Allegiance to a sports team, for example, would include cheering them in glory or failure, yet retaining one’s loyalty despite repeated losses. Allegiance to a television character is likewise displayed in a willingness to follow the character’s actions throughout the series. One demonstrates allegiance to one’s family when its members are less than completely appealing. Loyalty does not diminish when allegiance is strong.
Ambition
“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” ~Salvador Dali
How does ambition fit in with values? Have we not all heard that ambition is evil, driving men to all forms of unscrupulous behavior? Indeed. However, ambition also has a motivating trait: that of impelling action. It is all well and good to come up with a bright idea; but how shall we implement it? Ambition is the hunger that compels us to achieve a desired goal, through hard work and determination; through curiosity and moxie.
Appreciation
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the star s, and see yourself running with them.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
Appreciation is the recognition of something. The word is used to denote thanks, and in fact, appreciation is closely connected with acknowledgment – for a job well done, or for the gifts one has been given, both material and otherwise. Appreciate what you have, in all its glory. When someone says, “I appreciate that,” it usually means thank you. But appreciation as an inner value goes much more deeply: It acknowledges and recognizes deeply felt contributions and gifts.
Recognition for a job well done is a gift, given freely and sincerely. Sincerity cannot be faked. Sincere appreciation is not flattery. Flattery does not feel genuine, and therefore does not feel good; in fact, it may actually feel demeaning and patronizing. But sincere acknowledgment is also deeply felt. The words used, the way they are used, the body language, and the situation in which they are used are all essential underpinnings of what is genuine, deserved, and ultimately pleasurable approval and thanks.
Beauty
“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” ~ Sam Levenson
The great philosopher, Mortimer Adler, spoke about aesthetics, or what beauty means beyond personal taste or conventional agreement. In everyday speech, when people use words such as "beauty" or "beautiful," they typically mean something they subjectively think is pleasing to the eye. The concept of philosophical aesthetics somehow has escaped conventional consciousness.
St. Thomas Aquinas' definition of beauty as that which pleases upon being seen tends to support subjectivism. For "being seen," substitute "being beheld.” What Aquinas is saying is that which, when beheld, gives us pleasure, we call beautiful. Different persons get pleasure of this sort from different objects. They differ in their tastes. What one person finds enjoyable, another might behold with no pleasure at all.
However, there is another aspect of beauty that most people fail to consider. In addition to the enjoyable, there is the admirable. What makes one object more admirable than another is some excellence in the object itself? Leonardo da Vinci described the Golden Triangle as the special symmetry that results in a pleasing appearance.
There are those who still doubt that there is an objective aspect to beauty. What makes something beautiful and admirable frequently is its own excellence, its own inherent traits, rather than the subjective sense of the beholder.
Beauty is the characteristic of a person, animal, place, or idea that offers a perceptual impression of pleasure or satisfaction. It is the interpretation of something as being in harmony with nature. It may even give rise to feelings of well being, and so is believed to be useful as a survival tool.
Benevolence
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ~ John Bunyan
Benevolence is the act of doing good – not for political recognition; not for acknowledgement of any kind; not for a medal; and not as a line entry on a resume. Benevolence is an act of kindness done for its own sake. There is no heroism here, no seeking adulation. It is a silent act whose only reward is inwardly felt.
Bravery
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ~Nelson Mandela
The brave are not braver than you or I. They do not sport a mantle brighter or stronger. Their spines are not made of steel. They have simply learned to face their enemies, confront their demons, accept that fear is a force that protects rather than destroys. The brave are simply those who have befriended their fear.
Bushido
“The best fighter is never angry.” ~Laozi
The concept of bushido is foreign to the West. Its purest meaning is honor, or upstanding moral values. However, in the Japanese tradition of the days of the samurai, the code of bushido was deep indeed. It encompassed all of life.
The samurai were agents selected for their bravery to protect their master. Their master could have been anyone in a position of authority, from emperor to lower-ranked officials. The importance of the samurai tradition was their complete and total allegiance to their master, in all matters, including unto death.
The violent life of the samurai was mitigated by a philosophy of wisdom and serenity. It was their duty to defend their master to the death, but honor required that their killing be moderated by wisdom, never by anger. The tenets of bushido had to be practiced daily with study and meditation. In the words of William Scott Wilson, Ideals of the Samurai: Writings of Japanese Warriors (Kodansha, 1982), "If a man does not investigate into the matter of Bushido daily, it will be difficult for him to die a brave and manly death. Thus, it is essential to engrave this business of the warrior into one's mind well."
Similar sentiments were expressed by Kato, a ferocious warrior, who stated: "One should put forth great effort in matters of learning. One should read books concerning military matters, and direct his attention exclusively to the virtues of loyalty and filial piety....Having been born into the house of a warrior, one's intentions should be to grasp the long and the short swords and to die."
The code of the samurai was distinguished by eight tenets, or virtues: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor, Loyalty, Filial Piety, Wisdom, and Care for the Aged. Those virtues are well described in the Bible, and hold sway even to the present day.
