Today I was listening to David Brooks, Columnist of the New York Times today on Ted.com’s speak on society’s emphasis on our successes which are reflected in our
accomplishments listed on our resumes (external virtues) versus our eulogy
(internal) virtues. Internal virtues are the consistency of our values and how they are
reflected in our lives. One he says is
based on our strengths, the other on how we fight our sins or weaknesses. But as David Brooks points out that redeeming
our weaknesses or sins requires a lifetime commitment. The external virtues are based on economics
and success and the internal based on love, redemption, and return. I agree
with David that far too little value is placed on the internal. David quoted Reinhold Niebuhr in his Ted talk
and I thought I should share the quote with you.
“Nothing
that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved
by hope.
Nothing
which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate
context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith.
Nothing
we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved
by love.
No
virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as
it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love
which is forgiveness.”
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