Living Up To Principles (English assignment)

Essay by ariana90High School, 11th gradeA-, May 2007

download word file, 3 pages 4.0

"It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them."-Alfred adler, 1870-1937, Austrian psychiatristDo you agree or disagree with this statement? What evidence can you find in reading, personal experience, and study to support your point of view?Living up to PrinciplesHave you ever fought for something, but failed in achieving it? Many people embellish in regards to how they live morally correct and decent lives, yet they are far from it. Alfred Adler once said that “it is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.” In reference to this statement, I would have to agree based on evidence that I have read, personally experienced, and studied from my point of view.

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, this statement is illustrated. Arthur Dimmsdale, a reverend in a small puritan community who had high principles and was respected by all, failed to abide by the church’s laws of celibacy.

As a reverend, he was supposed to refrain from having any sort of sexual intercourse, yet he indulged in an affair with a young, beautiful woman, Hester Prynne, who became impregnated. As a reverend, Dimmsdale was expected to remain celibate and to not cheat and lie as he did to the entire community, even though he felt guilty about the entire situation. This piece of literature echoes Adler’s statement that “it is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.”I see eye to eye with Adler’s statement based on evidence that I have personally experienced. My cousin, who I will not name, is a walking example of this statement. She seemed to be the perfect young girl, with the ideal friends, and excelling in school. She fought for her principles; however, she failed to achieve everything she...