Jay Powell makes this timely call to students and to all of us. It involves no religious faith, no political dedication. “At the end of the day, your integrity is all you have.” It involves you and I. We should be thankful that Jay Powell is brave enough to speak about the shattering of personal dignity and the destruction of humanity that is happening.
Pride is not a sobriquet we want. Self-discipline is. Thank you, Mr Powell.
“Be not ruthless, rough or rude to achieve your aim.
Success won by salaciousness is pointless.
A person’s word must be their bond.
The game of life is not death, it is successful long life.
Love is at its best when no reciprocal reward is sought.
S/He who looks beyond payback is a generous human being.”
ANON
Does this mean that we are all failures and so might just as well be rich failures?
No. It means that our definitions of success and failure need to change. The troublesome aspects of life we cope with are a training ground for the triumphs we may achieve. They are not wasted time, nor vacant plots of desert. If we till them well, even for minute yields, our harvest when it comes will be fruitful.
Doing so may also teach us the skill of being humble about success. Not the sham of denied achievement, not the pontificating of possession but the test of truth. All these exhortations are well known and have been well rehearsed for most people during their childhood and youth. They reflect every article of faith in all decent religions.
It is particularly good to have the Chair of the US Federal Reserve say them.
It gives us hope that there are still good people in senior jobs.
At the end of the day, our integrity is all we have. Thanks be.
It may once again be a good morning.
John Bittleston
If you want to agree, why not send Jay Powell a message today?
Every one of your messages will mean something for all of us.
31 May 2025
