you will have been all of these

Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and wrong. Some time in life, you will have been all of these.

- Robert H Goddard

I really like this quote because it is something I aspire to. I may not be religious, but I can guarantee that I try to be considerate of others and conscious of my choices and will raise my child to do the same.

I bring up religion because it seems to come up a lot lately, especially in politics. I will never understand why calling yourself religious or claiming to be a member of a particular faith equates to "being a good person" in the minds of some people. Religion doesn't make you a good person. Going to church doesn't make you a good person. Being tender, compassionate, sympathetic, and tolerant can make you a good person. Your actions determine the person you are.