Wise Advice on Morals Counselling by a Man of High Character

I do have friends, generally with degrees in the liberal arts from places that still teach the great books in the tradition of Alan Bloom, or Leo Strauss, who do well and do good in Wisdom Consulting for some pretty impressive families. I caught up with one at a recent Conference on Cultivating Our Patrons' Virtue. He was speaking on Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics. I was exhibiting for my mentor, The Happy Tutor's side business, selling fraternity house paddles. My friend dropped by the booth and gave me some needed perspective. "Phil," he said, "Somewhat against my better judgement, I do read your blog from time to time, not that I read you to gloat over your humiliation but in compassion for the mess you made of your life. I note that you are always bitching about living in the dumpster and having no morals tutorial clients and how in your declining years you are still handing out towels in the sauna in Wealth Bondage rather than running the Chapel, having been passed over as Sexton and Secular Priest, for ex-Fr. Brennan, before his recent imprisonment for financial fraud (making off with the offering). And now they have an executive search firm looking for his replacement and you did not even make the short list. Let me share with you: It is not that you are Foolish rather than Wise; your harmless act is amusing to our patrons. The problem, Phil, is that you lack character." As soon as he said it I saw why he commands $200,000 fees for one day wisdom consultations to some of the world's wealthiest. He is exactly right. After 30 years in Wealth Bondage prostituting all that I hold holy, and blogging about it drunkenly, how can I come across as a man of Good Character? As Aristotle noted, pathos and logos and even ethos only get you so far. In the end it is character that persuades. I am going to be more like my friend, in public. First step is a pair of trousers.