Most important character trait

I just saw a TV show (Canadian TV) about Finland. It was presented that, in Finland, the single most important character trait is called sisu. The word has no exact equivalent in English, but it means perseverance, will power, bravery, and sticking with a rational course. It sounded to me like qualities important to a homesteader.

What do you think?

I think without those qualities there would be no homesteaders.

I think they are very important to homesteading, but I don't think they are the most important. I think the most important is wisdom...and from there all the other traits will follow.

I like them all, but I also would hope for trust. No man is an island and teamwork would be a necessity and without trust, you don't have much.

To have trust, you must have honor.

I suspect that sisu is important in Finland because, without that trait, one would not be able to survive in such a hostile environment. But it sounds like a very important trait for anyone in these times.

I read another interesting idea- that if/when SHTF, the people in the inner cities will actually do better than those living in the nicer surburbs. The constant conflict in the inner cities is breeding survivors. I don't know about you, but I find that idea disturbing, considering what they will probably do when SHTF (ie: come out to where the resources are and TAKE them) they will be better at it than I am...

I agree with Bee that wisdom is a great and wonderful thing! But on the flip side - I've got to say that I think wisdom follows all the other traits.

Wisdom is something that must be earned by a lot of experiences, a lot of hard work, and a lot of trial and error. I love Jeff Foxworthy's statement that "wisdom equals a lot of knowledge, plus scars". That about sums it up for me, lol.

frustratedearthmother said:

I agree with Bee that wisdom is a great and wonderful thing! But on the flip side - I've got to say that I think wisdom follows all the other traits.

Wisdom is something that must be earned by a lot of experiences, a lot of hard work, and a lot of trial and error. I love Jeff Foxworthy's statement that "wisdom equals a lot of knowledge, plus scars". That about sums it up for me, lol.

Click to expand...

Wisdom is vastly different from knowledge, which is what one learns through trial and error and even through working to learn something. Wisdom is the ability to apply the knowledge one earns.

Some people can work hard, go through a lot of experiences, a lot of trial and error..and walk away without any more wisdom than they started. The world is literally FULL of this kind of person right now. I think a person is born with some measure of wisdom,each in his own measure, and either sees its worth and builds upon it~ or ignores it completely in favor of doing what seems popular or the easiest. Then what small amount they were apportioned just slowly dies from lack of exercise.

I think all those other traits can show up to the party all by themselves and never know wisdom, but if you have wisdom, you will naturally want to develop all those other traits.

wisdom
noun \ˈwiz-dəm\

: knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life (my interpretation of the word)

: the natural ability to understand things that most other people cannot understand

: knowledge of what is proper or reasonable : good sense or judgment


As long as there are different people in the world, there will be different opinions...

Joel_BC said:

I just saw a TV show (Canadian TV) about Finland. It was presented that, in Finland, the single most important character trait is called sisu. The word has no exact equivalent in English, but it means perseverance, will power, bravery, and sticking with a rational course. It sounded to me like qualities important to a homesteader.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

I agree with this! You need the above traits to make it in a harsh environment or situation.

Know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em!

Joel, that sounds like a lovely descriptive word--I enjoy hearing about words/concepts in other languages that don't translate directly across, most are lovely.

What was the tv programme? We don't get cable, but it sounds interesting and perhaps it's something I could find online.