Identity Not For Sale

As I continued to read through the book I crossed through a special line which reminded me of something we are inclined to forget. In section 24 the value of principles and of identity demonstrates the importance this text gives to these. It proves that we have the possibility of choosing whether we want to trade our essence for material goods. The situation is given but we can still control how we react to it. This free will is a demonstration of our choice in life between what we believe to be right and wrong. The quotation that expressed this thought the best was this: ""Then what place," he says "will I have in the city?" The one you can have by preserving your trustworthiness and self-respect" (section 24)

In our society trading our values and principles can be so tempting in order to acquire material goods. Through lies and giving our believes, the essence of our existence is lost. By this I mean that what we think and the way we act determines who we are and how we will be remembered. Is it really worth it to sell who we are and what we leave in this world to our culture? I don't see this as the right way.

In this same section there is talks about the importance of maintaining ones identity specially when it comes to peer pressure. We see this in the following quotation where we are told about the importance of being firm to influences that can take you out of course: ""Get money," someone says, "so that we may have some." If I can get it while keeping self-respect and trustworthiness and high-mindedness show me the way and I will get it." (section 24) I would be glad to obtain material benefits through diligence but not through action that will weight on my conscience. Doing so would only allow me to live an unhappy life. Thanks to this I began to understand the meaning of the manual.

It is a manual in order to live happily in an ever more corrupt society, where principles and values are given away all the time. Reading this has made me think that even if our society can be technologically advanced it has proved to make man go one step behind on evolution making us loose trust and kill each other. Our culture has replaced many important values that are essential to the substance of the community life that is necessary for the maintaining of the peace in society. If we begin to sacrifice these values no matter how much technology we posses horrible suffering will continue to plague this our world. Wars are just an example of what could happen. The development of such methods to slowly pressure people to leave their morals will unquestionably lead us to bad lives and an even worse world to live in.