Seeking Virtue In All

By: Scott Armstrong

A recent journey into social media caused me to end up pushing myself away from my laptop and cell phone, wide-eyed at the exaggerated self-promotion of so many voices proclaiming they are right and the other side (whoever that may be) is wrong.  It all reminded me of an excerpt from Stevenson Willis’ book, The Proverbs of Leadership, that I have found particularly insightful (pp. 134-136):

“No longer use the gift of your vision to focus on the flaws and frailties of another.  Search instead for the virtue within him and bring it to light for all the world to see.  Never pay attention to the whispers of gossip, nor allow your ears to hear words that slander or diminish.  When the idle or the agitators commence their hurtful chatter, always speak up for the one who is maligned and sing of their qualities to all whom will listen…

No longer must you view yourself as superior to any, for though prosperous or poor, will your bones not return unto the same pile of dust? Never walk so tall to think that you can never stumble nor esteem yourself as wise and incapable of error.  All forms of arrogance and conceit must be banished from your mirror, for such blinding self-deceptions distort your sense of worth.

Neither must you draw attention to your strengths nor boast of your talents that others might be awed.  From this day forth dedicate the usage of the gifts you’ve been given for one purpose only: to stir within others an awareness of their own.

The creator has endowed each soul with potential and asks of you to see it in whomever you shall meet.  With this simple truth the masses will receive you and the cause you’ve embraced.  Without it you will flounder, even with those whom you love.  From this day forth you must view every person in only one way: not as they have been or as they are, but as how they were created to be.

For when you view your fellow man through the eyes of our maker compassion and humility will flow from your heart. 

And many will draw near to discover the source”.