“Let none presume
to wear an undeserved dignity.
O! that estates, degrees, and offices
were not deriv’d corruptly, and that clear honor
were purchas’d by the merit of the wearer.”
William Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice.
“No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling the fields as in writing a poem.”
Booker T. Washington: Up from Slavery, 1901.
Dignity is a reoccurring subject in everyday conversation. Each individual seems to have his or her idea of what dignity is. Dignity means honor to some people. To others it means pride. Still others think of dignity as social station. Dignity is an important attribute in a well-rounded personality. Dignity is self-respect, respect for others and honorable pride. Individuals find dignity in the pursuit of a better life for themselves and humanity.
Self-respect and respect for others are very important elements of dignity. People find dignity in many unexpected places. Society does not usually consider people living in poverty as dignified, but they can be. For example, Mother Teresa, a saintly individual, chose to live in poverty while she helped the unfortunate people of Calcutta, India. Individuals seldom surpass this type of selfless dignity. The parent who goes hungry so that a child can eat shows a high level of dignity. A family, the adults displaced workers who have slipped through the safety nets of society, struggle to survive. In the agonizing throes of hunger, the children wait anxiously for their parents to provide nourishment so desperately needed. The few meager morsels that fate furnishes are barely enough to sustain the children. The adults go hungry, relief for the children the only satiation they allow themselves. Many young adults lack the strength and willpower needed to reject the dead-end path of drug abuse. Abuse of drugs destroys the self-respect that makes dignity possible. A teen saying no to drugs and alcohol by defying peer-pressure is another example of dignified behavior. The courageous conduct of abstinence in the face of ridicule is commendable.
Honorable pride is another manifestation of dignity. Taking pride in selfless acts of charity is no sin. The anonymous donator to causes that champion the needy can feel a silent, dignified pride. An example of this type of philanthropist was the anonymous benefactor who contributed several million dollars to flood victims in the Midwest during the floods of 1996. Never did the altruistic individual ask for thanks or recognition. Modest pride in accomplishing a goal or successfully completing a task shows a certain amount of reserved dignity. The research scientist who finds the proof for a pet theory can feel proud of the accomplishment and still show dignity by giving credit to the people whose preceding efforts led to his success. Athletes, like well-maintained machines, owe much of their success to the efforts of the managers who work hard at training their protégés. Envision a marathon-runner approaching the finish line of the race, toe-to-toe with the competition. No amount of effort seems enough to pass the opponent. The runner hears the trainer's voice saying, “Dig deep.” From some hidden place within, the athlete finds the last particle of energy contained in his being. With one last exertion, he passes the rival an instant before crossing the finish line. After barely recovering from the ordeal, the winner accepts the trophy, the runner's award, and out of respect offers it to the mentor. While honored, the trainer declines the gesture. Both trainer and trainee show a personal dignity.
Some people confuse dignity with arrogance. Arrogance, vain pride, is not dignity. The self-important person may feel dignified, but in reality the boastful individual lacks the attributes of dignity. A person who lauds his accomplishments is brash and boorish. For example, a very wealthy individual decides to donate a large sum of money to a worthy cause. Immediately the benefactor calls a press conference to announce to the world the humanitarian’s generous gift. While the act of giving is admirable, the boast takes away from the dignity of the philanderer’s contribution. A person who places his importance above others without respect for merit does a grave disservice to the collective dignity of humanity. Snobbishness is an ugly characteristic that manifests itself in the actions of some rich or prestigious people. Country clubs excluding people because of their race, religion or social status exhibits a shortage of dignity.
To quote Edmund Burke, “By adverting to the dignity of this high calling our ancestors have turned a savage wilderness into a glorious empire: and have made the most extensive, and the only honorable conquests, not by destroying, but by promoting the wealth, the number, the happiness of The human race.” The use of the word dignity by Burke is profound. The pursuit of a better life for humanity is a truly noble and dignified goal. Respect for the dignity of all human-beings is in itself dignified. Each person must decide just what dignity means to him or her.
Copyright© 1999 Steven Spanjer