Greatness – Sunday, November 24, 1985
Historians have long debated whether great men and women create great times or are the product of the times in which they live. Perhaps all of us have asked ourselves, “Do we shape the world we live in or are we shaped by it?”
In reality both influences exist. On the one hand, each of us is shaped and influenced by parents, friends, and the events of our lives. Likewise, each of us influences, shaping our world even as we are shaped by it. But where do the seeds of greatness lie—in ourselves or the world in which we live?
The orator, G. S. Hillard, said: “The theory that a great man is merely the product of his age is rejected by…common sense. …The power that guides… and shapes… is something more than a mere aggregate of forces.” But still, social forces have propelled some into what might be thought of as greatness. Historical “greatness” is often decided by reputation rather than character. People have been called great simply because they are known—because circumstances have cast them into the limelight.
But these “celebrities of circumstance” are not truly great.
True greatness—whether of character, or intellect—is not the servant of fickle reputation. Rather, greatness is a quality of soul—a quality that lies in each of us to be nurtured and developed.
The British novelist, Dinah Maria Munlock, wisely wrote, “The man who does his work, any work, conscientiously, must always be in one sense a great man.” So it is that the opportunity of greatness is available to all. It is not a matter of who knows what we’ve done, but how well we do what we do.
Any person who greatly cares, who greatly loves, who is greatly concerned with the hopes and dreams of others—such a person is a great woman or a great man. The person who greatly sacrifices, who greatly suffers for the good, who greatly dedicates himself or herself, is a great person.
And the person who, in small but sincere measure, gives of himself—such a great person’s name may not be written in our histories, but it shall be indelibly etched in our hearts.
November 24, 1985
Broadcast Number 2,936