Show-Me 4-H’ers Character
Module 3
The Six Pillars of Character
PILLAR ONE
Trustworthiness
Even Small Lies
and Deceptions
Can Topple Towers
of Trust
Towers of trust are
built stone by stone,
yet no tower is so tall
or so strong that it can
stand when lies and
deceptions undermine
the stones at its base.
Trustworthiness
Embodies Four
Ethical Principles

Integrity

Honesty

Promise-keeping

Loyalty
Trustworthiness
Integrity
Integrity
Integrity is moral wholeness
demonstrated by a consistency of:

Thoughts – what we think

Words – what we say

Deeds – what we do

Duties – what we should do
What is right is
right even if no
one else is doing
it.
What is wrong is wrong even
if everyone is doing it.
Trustworthiness
Honesty
Honesty


Do:
Tell the truth, the
whole truth and
nothing but the truth.

Be sincere.

Be forthright and
candid.





Don’t:
Lie.
Cheat.
Steal.
Be sneaky,
tricky or
deceptive.
White lies often look very
different from the
perspective of the person
lied to.
Thank you
for caring
So,what else
have you lied
to me about?
THE TEST:
Upon learning
of the lie,
would the
person lied to
thank you for
caring, or feel
manipulated or
betrayed?
Trustworthiness
Promise-Keeping
Reliability &
Promise-Keeping





Keep your word.
Honor your commitments.
Be dependable — do what you are
supposed to do, return what you
borrow; pay your debts.
Show up where and when you are
supposed to.
Be prepared — do your homework
and bring what you need to do your
work.
Trustworthiness
Loyalty
Loyalty




Do
Stand by, stick up for and protect your family,
friends, school and country.
Be a good friend.
Look out for those who care about you.
Keep secrets.
Don’t





Betray a trust.
Let your friends hurt themselves.
Do anything that is wrong, even for a friend or
just so others will like you.
Ask a friend to do anything wrong.
Spread hurtful rumors or gossip.
PILLAR TWO
Respect
Two Aspects of
Respect

What You Think of Others

How You Treat Others
RESPECT
• Follow the Golden Rule
• Be tolerant and accept
differences
• Be nonviolent
• Be courteous
PILLAR THREE
Responsibility
Responsibility
Responsibility requires you to
recognize that what you do —
and what you don’t do —
matters.
Responsibility
•
•
•
•
Duty
Accountability
Pursue Excellence
Exercise Self-Control
PILLAR FOUR
Fairness
Fairness
•
•
•
•
•
Play by the rules
Take turns and share
Be open-minded; listen to others
Don’t take advantage of others
Don’t blame others carelessly
What is Fairness?
Fairness is concerned with
actions, processes, and
consequences that are
morally right, honorable and
equitable.
Procedural
Fairness Requires…
1. Fair Notice
2. Impartiality
3. Gathering of the Facts
4. Fair Hearing
Substantive
Fairness
Results — what we decide, the
substance of the decision.

The moral obligation is to
make fair decisions; this is
called substantive fairness.
Six Theories of
Substantive
Fairness
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Merit
Need
Might
Equality
Seniority
Effort
PILLAR FIVE
Caring
Caring
• Be kind
• Be compassionate and show
you care
• Express gratitude
• Forgive others
• Help people in need
A Caring Person Is
Not:

Mean, cruel or insensitive

Selfish or self-centered

Too busy to lend a helping
hand
Elements of
Caring:





Concern for others’ well-being
Compassion
Empathy
Kindness
Charity
PILLAR SIX
Citizenship
Citizenship
• Do your share to make your
school and community better
• Cooperate
• Stay informed; vote
• Be a good neighbor
• Obey laws and rules
• Respect authority
• Protect the environment
The Six Pillars of Character
•
•
•
•
•
•
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship