George Washington Carver

My friend Jeff recently posted George Washington Carver's virtues on Facebook. Got me to browsing around on Wikipedia. Following are a few wiki clips.
Dr. Carver viewed faith in Jesus as a means of destroying both barriers of racial disharmony and social stratification. He was as concerned with his students' character development as he was with their intellectual development. He even compiled a list of eight cardinal virtues for his students to emulate and strive toward:
  1. Be clean both inside and outside.
  2. Neither look up to the rich nor down on the poor.
  3. Lose, if need be, without squealing.
  4. Win without bragging.
  5. Always be considerate of women, children and old people.
  6. Be too brave to lie.
  7. Be too generous to cheat.
  8. Take your share of the world and let others take theirs.
Unconventional in respect to both his scientific method and his ambition as a teacher, he inspired as much criticism as he did praise. Dr. Carver expressed this sentiment in response to this phenomenon: "When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."
I especially liked the thought provoking way that Carver expressed his virtues. They embody a morality that I can relate to. Numbers 6 and 7 especially speak to me. And I love the quote.

5 comments:

  1. These are all wonderful! Certainly worthy traits to teach and live by.

    In Junior High I wrote an essay on George Washington Carver. It was interesting to research his life and dreams. Quite a man indeed!

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  2. Bob, I like #5

    5. Always be considerate of women, children and Old Geezers. :-)

    Sorry Mr. Carver

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  3. Ditto that for me Mr Geezer! We who people refer to as "The Ancient of Days" need a lot of consideration. :)

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  4. Have always admired GWC since reading a biography of his several years ago. What an amazing life story he has, and how no matter what he encountered, he did not let it stop him. Thanks for the piece!

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