Character Is Destiny: The Value of Personal Ethics in Everyday Life

by Russell Gough

An inescapable truth lies at the heart of this simple yet profound The quality of our lives is not determined by the happenstance of genetics or by the influence of environment; it is not measured in material possessions or in the trappings of youth; it is not dependent on personality or social acclaim. On the contrary, the intrinsic value of the lives we lead reflects the strength of a single our personal character. Character Is Destiny, a sort of self-help guide for the soul, shows how we can lead richer lives simply by being better people.
"This profound book reminds us how utterly central character is to all else in life . . . I plan to stay in touch with this book for many years." — Shelby Steele
Russell W. Gough, a nationally prominent writer and speaker, describes the steps to personal growth from examining our lives to taking responsibility for our actions, from discarding selfishness to embracing the greater good, from becoming a better role model for our loved ones to finding the courage to do the right thing naturally and consistently. By cultivating the habits of virtue, we will strengthen not only ourselves but, more important, our families and our world. Character Is Destiny shows how to overcome the most formidable obstacle to an ethical ourselves.
Each and every day we are faced with scores of choices that, in subtle yet discernible ways, can either enrich or impoverish our personal character. The choices we make, and the manner in which we make them, illuminate the paths our lives will take. Character Is Destiny can be our compass.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 1997

Reviews

[Bryana Beaird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not too enthusiastic about this book. It is a volume on ethics with a secular bent and so although it includes many insightful generic comments about integrity and morality, it can't help but end up as a deflating self-help tutorial. Because an understanding of identity in Christ is the first step to any meaningful and lasting development of inner beauty, I would recommend a book that takes that foundation as its basis and leave Gough to agnostics.

[Shawn Gearhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reminder that everyday decisions are really what shape who we are - especially those decisions when no one is watching. Also a good encouragement that, though it will be hard, it is never too late to make changes in our lives to become people of better character.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Character.. One of the many reasons John McCain should have been our 44th President.

[AA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this is quite simply words and not a lot of deep meaning, but I do believe it was worth it for the few paragraphs each chapter that I truly felt something from.

[Rosie Gearhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of my kids homeschool curriculum (Ambleside Online). It’s an easy read. I liked it and will have each of them read it, but I would have preferred that the author explain why we should even want to live a life of character in the first place. What is the basis for this “should?” Simply to have a good life? This feels shallow to me and misses the big picture of a higher, transcendent Being who is Goodness itself and Who, therefore, sets the standard. I got the sense that he believes in God but was trying to write to a Secular audience, hence the mostly secular point of view. Still an excellent book, though, and I hope it challenges my children to step out of their very human selfishness and desire to live lives of integrity and character.

[Andrew Clem · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was inspiring. The stories were carefully chosen that embodied what the author felt other great people in history shared in common. Having similar traits and mind sets. Over all a great book but I think you'll need a dictionary when you read it...

[Rick Crown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written very simply, it gets right to the point of what goes on in our everyday lives with respect to decisions between right and wrong. It doesn't scold you or talk down to you, it just provides you a new outlook on your morality.

[George]

enlightening Amazon reviews: http://is.gd/ckkyQ9