In “The Road to Character,” David Brooks embarks on a quest to understand the deeper undercurrents of character. Through the stories of ten historical figures, Brooks paints a vivid picture of how inner character is built, contrasting today’s “culture of the Big Me” with the more self-effacing values of previous generations.
What This Book Reveals About Core Values
Brooks masterfully reveals that the journey to character is individual and arduous yet universally anchored in embracing core values such as humility, empathy, and integrity. He argues that true fulfillment and moral depth are achieved not by celebrating personal achievements but by facing one’s own weaknesses and working to overcome them in service to something beyond oneself.
Key Takeaways
- Character is not inherited or bought; it is a daily practice of choosing the harder right over the easier wrong.
- True fulfillment comes from serving and being accountable to something beyond oneself.
- The cultivation of inner character is the foundation for outer success and societal contribution.
This exploration encourages us to look inward, challenging us to build a legacy of character that outlives our achievements and resonates through generations. It’s a reminder that the virtues we cultivate within ourselves shape not only who we are but also the society we create.
About the Author
David Brooks is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times and appears regularly on “PBS NewsHour,” NPR’s “All Things Considered” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He teaches at Yale University and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is the bestselling author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement; Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There; and On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense. He has three children and lives in Maryland.
“The road to character is built by confronting your own weaknesses, not flaunting your strengths.”
