The Road to Character

In The Road to Character, David Brooks urges a shift in priorities from outward achievement to inward moral growth. He distinguishes 'résumé virtues'—skills and accomplishments prized by society—from 'eulogy virtues'—humility, courage, and responsibility that define a meaningful inner life. Through cultural commentary, moral psychology, and a series of biographical portraits, Brooks examines how struggle, failure, and disciplined self-examination contribute to moral formation. Rather than delivering a strict how-to, the book traces habits and attitudes—accepting limits, honoring commitments, and cultivating deeper loyalties—that help resist purely transactional views of success. Its tone is reflective and accessible, offering narratives and practical prompts that encourage readers to take seriously the long, often difficult work of building character. Those interested in integrity, duty, and personal responsibility will find it a thoughtful companion for ethical self-examination.