“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
What do you value more: privileges or principles? If you were to ask President Dwight D. Eisenhower he’d say when we value our privileges above its principles we eventually lose both. Privileges are those special rights, advantages, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. It is like being a part of of a country club for example where the perks are only for those that are members that belong to the club. Principles are those fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. An example of this may be having integrity or honesty.
Principles to me are what drives a person’s moral compass. It is our GPS in deciding what we value and finding the pathway or route to get us to our desired destination to becoming a person with high moral standards and values. Privileges are the perks that come along with what happens after living up to the principles that you have laid out before you. It is the level of respect you earn from others because of the way in which you treat them and how you conduct your life.
We must always remain conscious of the fact that we should never let privileges become the driver of our lives and overshadow our principles. If we do we will lose ourselves completely and this is something we can ill afford to do.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards defining/refining your own moral compass?
Becoming The Change 