Good Men Have the Fewest Fears

To quote a short, significant sentence: “Good men have the fewest fears.”

Often we hear it said of someone that he is a good man. It may be meant in many ways, but in all its meanings “good” is one of the most satisfying words to apply to people, especially in a day when cynicism, worldliness, low standards and loose living, and departing from commandments and conventions, are too much in evidence⎯not only in evidence, but often justified, condoned, and shockingly accepted.

There are many qualities that people look for in other people⎯attractive appearance, beauty (sometimes), ability, talent, pleasant personality, skill, knowledge, the social graces, and many others also; but there is no substitute for sincere goodness: goodness of thought, of heart, of act, of intent; goodness of life, including honesty and chastity, reverence and respect, and the upright qualities of character that one can count on.

Blessed is the wife who can say of her husband: He is a good man. Blessed is the husband who can say of his wife: She is a good woman. Blessed is the child who can say of his father: He is a good man⎯or a father of his son or daughter.

As we see defection, dishonor, unfaithfulness, homes broken, secrets sold, businesses embezzled; traffic in things that destroy the souls of men; condoning or indifference to unnatural and perverted practices⎯with all this we come to an unavoidable conclusion that the quality of goodness, like cleanliness, is akin to godliness, and an essential ingredient for the salvation of the world, and for the temporal and everlasting salvation of souls.

“The earth is upheld by the veracity of good men,” said Emerson. “They make the world wholesome.” “He that loses his conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping.” “Wickedness never was happiness.” “Thank God for goodness.” “Good men have the fewest fears.”