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Chapter 25—Education and Character
True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge
or literary acquirements, but above information it values power;
above power, goodness; above intellectual acquirements, character.
The world does not so much need men and women of great intellect
as of noble character. It needs people in whom ability is controlled
by steadfast principle.
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” “The
tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly.”
Proverbs 4:7
;
15:2
. True
education imparts this wisdom. It teaches the best use not merely
of one but of all our powers and acquirements. Thus it covers the
whole circle of obligation—to ourselves, to the world, and to God.
Character building is the most important work ever entrusted
to human beings, and never was its diligent study so important as
now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so
momentous. Never were young men and women confronted by
perils so great as confront them today.
At this critical time, what is the trend of the education given?
What motive is appealed to most often? Self-seeking. Much of to-
day’s education is a perversion of the name. True education provides
a counter influence to the selfish ambition, greed for power, and
disregard for the rights and needs of humanity that are the curse of
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our world.
No Place for Selfish Rivalry
God’s plan of life has a place for every human being. All are to
improve their talents to the utmost, and faithfulness in doing this,
whether the gifts be few or many, entitles them to honor. In God’s
plan there is no place for selfish rivalry. Those who measure them-
selves by themselves, and compare themselves among themselves,
are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12
. Whatever we do is to be done
“heartily, as to the Lord ... knowing that from the Lord you will
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