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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Road to Character summary
David Brooks
Learn how to make yourself whole
12 mins
Brief summary
The Road to Character by David Brooks explores the lives of historical and contemporary figures who struggled with their personal flaws and found a deeper sense of purpose. The book challenges readers to lead more meaningful lives by focusing on character development over personal achievement.
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The Road to Character
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Key idea 1 of 5
Today’s society values the “me,” the extrovert that lives in each one of us. But this wasn’t always so.
The idea of multiple, conflicting personalities within each person has long been the subject of philosophical investigation, captivating thinkers throughout history.
Each person is composed of two competing personality types, called Adams. Depending on society’s prevailing culture, people lean toward one or the other type.
Our “Adam I” type is an “alpha,” a personality that projects outward, most comfortable in a success-obsessed society. He wants a career, social status; he’s a winner and will fight to remain so.
In contrast, our “Adam II” type is an introvert. Today’s society wants nothing to do with him. He has a strong moral compass and strives to become more virtuous. Think of Adam II as the core of what makes a human “human,” displaying traits such as kindness, bravery, honesty and devotion.
So while each person embodies these two basic types, one is often overshadowed by the other.
In the past few decades, American society has made a shift from the moralistic world of Adam II to the self-centered one of Adam I.
Consider how in America, public figures used to emphasize traits such as humility. For instance, George Bush Sr., who grew up in the era of Adam II, barely spoke about himself, even during his presidential campaigns. In fact, he was so keen to avoid self-promotion that he crossed out the word “I” in all his campaign speeches!
But this age has come and gone.
Today people are pushed to obsess over themselves and live only for their own desires. This message is evident in everything from movies to self-help books to celebrity commencement speeches: You’re unique. Follow your dreams! Don’t accept any limits, and never change.
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What is The Road to Character about?
The Road to Character (2015) explains how society’s focus on fame, wealth and status eclipses moral virtues and internal struggles. These blinks will show you how to reclaim qualities such as kindness, bravery, honesty and commitment.
Best quote from The Road to Character
The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either – but right through every human heart. – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
—David Brooks
Who should read The Road to Character?
- Anyone who has achieved their goals but still feels like something is missing
- People wanting deeper insight into modern culture’s obsession with “me”
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