Talent Without Character – Sunday, March 02, 1958
There is an old sentence which says that “Talent without character is more to be dreaded than esteemed.”1 Using character in its meaning of moral responsibility, of integrity, we would extend the statement further: Authority without character is more to be dreaded than esteemed.
Money without character, power without character, knowledge without character, science without character, men without character—all are more to be dreaded than esteemed.
Ours is a day in which ominous forces have been placed in the hands of mere men, and we may sometimes suppose that if we could rid ourselves of these super forces and factors, we could rid ourselves of all threats and fears. But there is no tangible thing or physical force that is in and of itself an evil.
They could all be used for man’s blessing as well as for evil intent. The real source of our fears is frequently forgotten. Our problems are human problems, moral problems, the problems of people.
Even a club or a stone—or even bare hands—are a menace on a man without character. There are ancient tales told of sirens who used the sweetness of their voices to entice men to doom and destruction.
Shall we say then that a sweet and lovely voice is a thing of evil? The gift that enables a person to write an inspiring masterpiece may also empower him, if his intent is evil, to write debasing filth.
The gift that enables an artist to depict a hallowed scene may also, if abused, permit him to portray a lewd subject. The persuasive power that moves men to good works may, in the possession of a false leader, move them to false ways.
Talent without integrity is indeed to be dreaded. Any weapon or word, any energy or effort, any power or position, any authority or office or influence, anything in the world used without moral responsibility, without character, without integrity, is to be dreaded.
The real measure of good or evil is the use to which people put their time, their tools, their talents. The real fears are fears of misguided men, of misguided minds.
The real problems are human problems. And if we can bring ourselves to be what we should be, to keep the commandments, to match talent with integrity, we can just about have our heaven on earth, and live free of the fear of any physical force. *
1Author Unknown
* Revised
March 02, 1958
Broadcast Number 1,489