1925 Characters Pledge
IN GOD WE TRUST
If I Want to Be a Happy, Useful Citizen I Must Have:
COURAGE AND HOPE
I must be brave – This means I must be brave enough and strong enough to
control what I think, and what I say and what I do, and I must always be
hopeful because hope is power for improvement.
WISDOM
I must act wisely – In school, at home, playing, working, reading or
talking. I must learn how to choose the good, and how to avoid the bad.
INDUSTRY and GOOD HABITS
I must make my character strong – My character is what I am, if not in
the eyes of others, then in the eyes of my own conscience. Good
thoughts in my mind will keep out bad thoughts. When I am busy doing
good I shall have no time to do evil. I can build my character by
training myself in good habits.
KNOWLEDGE and USEFULNESS
I must make my mind strong – The better I know myself, my fellows and
the world about me, the happier and more useful I shall be. I must
always welcome useful knowledge in school, at home, everywhere.
TRUTH and HONESTY
I must be truthful and honest – I must know what is true in order to do
what is right. I must tell the truth without fear. I must be honest in
all my dealings and in all my thoughts. Unless I am honest I cannot have
self-respect.
HEALTHFULNESS and CLEANLINESS
I must make my body strong – My eyes, my teeth, my heart, my whole body
must be healthful so that my mind can work properly. I must keep
physically and morally clean.
HELPFULNESS and UNSELFISHNESS
I must use my strength to help others who need help – If I am strong I
can help others, I can be kind, I can forgive those who hurt me and I
can help and protect the weak, the suffering, the young and the old, and
dumb animals.
CHARITY
I must love – I must love God, who created not only this earth but also
all men of all races, nations and creeds, who are my brothers. I must
love my parents, my home, my neighbors, my country and be loyal to all
these.
HUMILITY and REVERENCE
I must know that there are always more things to learn – What I may know
is small compared to what can be known. I must respect all who have
more wisdom than I, and have reverence for all that is good. And I must
know how and whom to obey.
FAITH and RESPONSIBILITY
I must do all these things because I am accountable to God and humanity
for how I live and how I can help my fellows, and for the extent to
which my fellows may trust and depend upon me.
– From The National Weekly, published by Collier’s i