A Man's Value to Society: Studies in Self Culture and Character

"A Man's Value to Society: Studies in Self Culture and Character" by Newell Dwight Hillis is a thought-provoking exploration of personal growth and its effect on the world. The book investigates how building character and developing oneself are essential to making valuable contributions to a community. Early on, the author makes the point that people can be wasteful with resources and opportunities, spiritually and materially, and Hillis uses this to invite readers to think about the true importance of each person in society. He speaks out against the habit of ignoring what individuals are capable of, and argues that being aware of oneself and having strong morals are key. According to Hillis, progress comes from a person’s knowledge, virtues, and experiences and that individuals must strive to enrich their ethical and intellectual contributions to the world, rather than seeing themselves as simply economic entities.