David Brooks: On Character

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In his book The Road to Character (and discussed in his 92NY talk), David Brooks defines character not as an inherent, unyielding trait, but as an ongoing internal struggle to build moral strength, depth, and humility [18:03 Opens in a new window ].

Brooks frameworks his definition around several key concepts…

1. The Resume Virtues vs. The Eulogy Virtues

Brooks splits human nature using a framework adapted from Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik [11:24 Opens in a new window ]:

• Adam 1 (Resume Virtues): The ambitious, career-driven side of our nature focused on worldly success, skills, and external achievement [11:41 Opens in a new window ].
• Adam 2 (Eulogy Virtues): The internal, moral side focused on depth, kindness, honesty, courage, and how you are remembered when you are gone [10:48 Opens in a new window ].

Character resides in Adam 2—it is the moral grounding that answers why we exist and how we ought to live rather than how to achieve career success [12:13 Opens in a new window ].

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2. Character as a Set of Commitments

Rather than viewing character as a rigid, isolated block of willpower, Brooks defines character as the strength of a person’s commitments outside themselves [18:16 Opens in a new window ]:

• In the intellect: A commitment to fundamental truths [18:23 Opens in a new window ].
• In emotion: Being enmeshed in unconditional love [18:31 Opens in a new window ].
• In action: A dedication to long-term callings, institutions, or communities that extend beyond a single lifetime [18:31 Opens in a new window ].

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3. The Moral Drama of Self-Confrontation

True character is forged through self-defeat and humility—confronting one’s core weaknesses, flaws, or ego [21:45 Opens in a new window ].

• The Inverse Logic: While success in career follows economic logic (hard work yields output), moral character follows an inverse logic: you must surrender to gain strength, conquer your desires to find fulfillment, and embrace humility to learn [13:05 Opens in a new window ].
• Redemptive Assistance: Character is built when people recognize their own limitations (“crooked timber”) and rely on external structures—such as traditions, relationships, love, and community—to help overcome their personal flaws [18:10 Opens in a new window ].

Character. We need more of it…