I just read Steven Covey’s commencement address given at Utah State University in 2001. He urges people to write a mission statement and make our lives matter. The four basic needs of life, he says, are to live, to live, to learn, and to leave a legacy (to matter). Though there are some things I disagree with in his talk (his praise for several popular modern political figures is ill placed), he does a good job of emphasizing the need for principles and excellence.

He quotes Gandhi:

Seven things will destroy us: Wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principles.

What a powerful indictment of the trends in modern society!

He also quotes Mother Theresa:

The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace.

Wonderful words to ponder.