Topic : Conduct
Impact of Religion
The Princeton Religion Research Center has measured the impact of religion on day-to-day work. Comparing the "churched" with the "unchurched" on a wide range of behaviors like pilfering supplies (stealing), overstating qualifications on resumes (lying), calling in sick when not sick (lying and stealing), and overstating tax deductions (lying, stealing, and cheating), the center finds "little difference in the ethical views and behavior of the churched and the unchurched." What differences there are "are not significant or are of marginal significance."
Queen Victoria
When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided to tell her that one day she would become the queen of England.
Upon hearing this, Victoria quietly said, “Then I will be good.”
The realization that she had inherited this high calling gave her a sense of responsibility that profoundly affected her conduct from then on.
Change Your Name
A man in the Army of Alexander the Great who was also named Alexander, was accused of cowardly actions. He was brought before Alexander, who asked what his name was.
He replied softly, “Alexander.”
“I can’t hear you,” the ruler stated.
The man again said, a little louder, “Alexander.”
The process was repeated one more time, after which Alexander the Great commented, “Either change your name or change your conduct.”
