accountability adversity altruism ambition anxiety aspirations authenticity brooks character character-building character-development character-formation class commitment comparison compassion competition conscience consumerism courage cultural-analysis cultural-criticism cultural-critique cultural-values culture david-brooks decision-making dedication destiny determination development dignity discipline emotional-intelligence empathy ethical-behavior ethical-choices ethical-dilemmas ethical-principles ethical-values ethics excellence existentialism faith fame fear fulfillment grit growth growth-mindset guidance happiness hard-work honesty honor honorable-behavior human-nature humanism humanity humbleness humility identity inequality inner-development inner-journey inner-strength inner-transformation inner-wisdom insecurity inspiration inspirational integrity introspection introspective introspective-journey journey kindness leadership learning lessons-of-life life-choices life-decisions life-journey life-lessons life-purpose lifes-purpose literature materialism maturity meaning meaning-of-life meaningful-life mindfulness mindset modern-life modern-society moral moral-character moral-compass moral-courage moral-development moral-dilemma moral-dilemmas moral-education moral-excellence moral-integrity moral-philosophy moral-psychology moral-values moral-virtue moral-virtues morality morals motivation nobility non-fiction nonfiction overcoming-adversity patience perseverance personal-development personal-growth personal-transformation personal-values philosophical philosophical-reflection philosophy philosophy-of-life principles professional-success psychological-development psychology purpose purpose-driven purposeful-living redemption reflection reflective-thinking relationships resilience righteousness role-models sacrifice self-awareness self-control self-discipline self-discovery self-esteem self-examination self-growth self-help self-improvement self-reflection selflessness sincerity social-class social-commentary social-comparison social-conscience social-consciousness social-critique social-hierarchy social-psychology social-status societal-contributions societal-expectations societal-norms societal-pressure societal-pressures societal-values society sociology soul-searching spiritual-development spiritual-growth spiritual-journey spirituality status status-anxiety storytelling strength strengthening-character struggle success the-road-to-character transformation transformative upbringing value-driven-life values values-based-living values-driven virtue virtue-ethics virtues virtuous-life vulnerability wealth wisdom