In extreme environments like concentration camps, survivors observed that strength of character was the primary determinant of survival, more so than physical strength or intelligence. This principle applies universally; investor Arnold Van Den Berg prioritizes hiring for character indicators like discipline over traditional credentials.

When raising boys, a father's actions are far more impactful than his words. Instead of lecturing on what it means to be a man, consistently demonstrating service, respect, and responsibility will be internalized by a son over time, even if the lesson isn't explicit or is initially met with embarrassment.

National service offers a structured "gap year" for boys, whose emotional maturity often lags their development. It acts as a "societal take-two," providing a second chance to mature and find direction without immediate academic or career pressures, specifically addressing a cohort in crisis.

A program like Israel's mandatory service provides structure, teaches skills, fosters competence, and reduces discrimination through forced cooperation. It could disproportionately benefit young men who are often not ready for the unstructured environment of college at age 18.

Courage is not an innate trait but a choice made when a situation is framed as a moral quest. Figures like Gandhi were not always brave; they developed courage by adopting an interpretive lens of meaning. This transforms a rational cost-benefit analysis into a compulsion to act on one's values.

The US military's effectiveness stems from a deep-seated culture of candor and continuous improvement. Through rigorous training centers, it relentlessly integrates lessons to avoid repeating mistakes in combat, a mechanism adversaries often lack, forcing them to learn "as they lose lives."

When eulogized, a person's career accomplishments are footnotes. The core of their legacy is their character—how they behaved and treated others—and their service. This reality should inform how we prioritize our daily actions, focusing on behavior over status or material success.

Morality is not a static trait you possess but a state you achieve through action. Engaging in pro-social behavior shapes your identity as a moral person, creating a virtuous cycle where action precedes and builds character, which can then inspire others.

Instead of corrupting individuals, fame, success, and money act as magnifiers, exposing a person's core character. This reframes the common belief that power changes people, suggesting it merely reveals what was always there.