“There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” So said Henry David Thoreau, and so he was quoted in something I was reading this morning.
It made me stop and think about our efforts to build character. It linked directly to self-education in character, to parental character building, and to every character education program that is in use in schools. They all have this is common, I believe. They all are in danger of merely hacking at branches.
The truth Mr. Thoreau was trying to express is stated in these words in the Bible: “If the root is holy, the branches are too.” Romans 11:16.
Character roots are vital if we expect to have character in the visible parts of our lives. We must have roots that are permeated through and through with character. Without that, it is hopeless to expect that we will embrace and consistently exercise even a portion of the list of character traits.
Well, but how do we know whether our roots – or the roots of children with whom we work – are character roots? How can we be sure we aren’t working with immoral roots? By looking at branches and fruit.
For example, I read that students in some high schools have found a way to get around teachers’ rules forbidding text messaging during class. Sending messages was not a problem, and students could easily share answers on a test, or gossip during a boring lecture. But how would a friend know a message had arrived? They couldn’t look at cell phones every minute, and teachers would hear ring tone alerts.
Internet to the rescue! Someone posted a special ring tone, and students downloaded it to cell phones. Easily heard by students, this ring tone is inaudible to teachers. It is too high-pitched to be heard by most adults. So teenagers receive text message alerts on their cell phones without the teacher knowing. Strange, but true. As we age, many of us develop aging ear — we lose the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds. This ring tone takes advantage of aging ear, and allows students to break the rules with impunity.
Character roots would make a difference in this situation. How? Suppose most of your class seem to exercise character. Even though you heard about the ring tone, you believe your students would never use it. Nevertheless, after your school installs a hidden surveillance camera, you set the trap. You distribute papers for an unannounced quiz, and watch. To your amazement, one student after another receives a silent alert. Students who outwardly seemed to have character quickly sneak a look at their cell phones, and then copy received answers. You thought you had taught them character, but you were only hacking off branches, not getting down to the roots.
Why bother with a character education program if it is merely a means of hacking at the branches of evil? Why take time to order books and lesson plans just to prune a few branches off of wicked trees? Does that make sense?
I believe it does not – but that is exactly the work being done by many who claim to be character builders.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?