APRIL 21, 1961
'Maine Way' Code of Ethics Explains Moral Principles
NON PREJUDICE
Are we prejudiced against people of different color, nationality, creed, or even people of a different financial status? It was once said that "Prejudice is the child of ignorance." Let's try to understand our fellow man and not judge him on the surface. Let's not be ignorant.
INTEGRITY
Can others rely on our honesty - are we worthy of the trust of others? A person who is not trustworthy will find that he will not get far in life, no matter what he does. At times, however, it is easier to deceive ourselves than it is to deceive others. George McDonald, in one of his quotes, pointed out that if we cannot be honest with ourselves, we will not be able to be honest with each other.
RESPECT
"Men are respectable only as they respect." Ralph Waldo Emerson tried hard to be a respectable person. He felt that to be respectable, a man must have respect for the opinions of others, even though those opinions may differ from his own. That man must also respect his elders and consider the advice that they give.
Responsibility is a big word. Many times we forget to be responsible - we say that we had too much on our minds, or that we simply forgot. No one can escape responsibility, for each and every student has a responsibility to his school, his church, and his country. There are many responsibilities in life. Are we able to carry them out?
FRIENDLINESS
Certainly we have all heard the quotation that Emerson made, "The only way to have a friend is to be one." It does not hurt anyone to go out of his way a little to be friendly toward others. There are so many lonely people in the world just waiting to be a friend to someone. Why not pay a bit of attention to the student sitting in the corner by himself. He may have quite a few wonderful talents that would benefit others if someone would only notice him and express the desire to be friends with him.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Sportsmanship means a lot in the life of a human being. No one cares for a poor loser. Nor does anyone care for a person who won, or tried to win, by dishonest methods. "For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He marks - not that you won or lost - but how you played the game."
"The Maine Way" is not a code meant only for the members of the faculty, for the representatives of Student Council, or for a few popular leaders. "The Maine Way" is a high standard of living that would benefit all who strive to follow it. It is a challenge to all of us.