President Harry Truman explains the beliefs that influenced his two decades of public service, and he encourages Americans to correct the remaining imperfections in our democracy.
In his long life as a journalist and bestselling author, Ben Lucien Burman came to three beliefs: be kind, be artistic, and be funny. If we could simply accomplish those, Burman says we would be happier, more humble, and more peaceful.
From the 1950s series, actress Phyllis Kirk says the greatest thing we have to fear is fear, which leads to isolation, intolerance, prejudice and violence. Kirk believes that if we can free ourselves and our children from fear, we can create a better tomorrow.
From the 1950s series, engineer, educator and writer Arthur E. Morgan believes that a purposeful life is best supported by the free inquiry of thought. The Antioch College president cautions that loose living warps thinking to justify itself.
In his essay from the 1950s, business executive and disabled veteran John Davis Drummey believes life can be more fully lived once we overcome our own self-centeredness. Drummey says the more people we understand, the better we can know God.
Swarthmore College classicist Susan Parker Cobbs believes, as Socrates did, that the unexamined life is not worth living. In her essay from the 1950s, Cobbs says all people have goodness within them, which can be expressed where there is freedom, faith and truth.
From the 1950s, Oscar winner Lionel Barrymore believes the secret to living a full and happy life is much like preparing for an acting role: It requires borrowing from the past, adapting to the present, being creative about the future, and setting attainable goals.
In the face of nuclear war and ultimate annihilation, writer and editor Norman Cousins wonders about the destiny of man. In his essay from the 1950s, Cousins believes we have the resources to overcome our fears and welcome a new golden age of history.
As a New York City couple married for 30 years, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Hale found that their love for each other inspired compassion and understanding for all of their fellow citizens.
