Developing a firm moral compass and a foundation of values upon which my actions and life goals are based is a matter of great personal importance in need of consistent attention and reflection. The following are a few of many core principles serving as guiding forces for my worldview and life aspirations.

1. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Faith serving an important role in my life, this verse provides the greatest degree of solace that His love and protection follows me in all that I do.

2. "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

In my view, this perfectly encompasses the way to measure a moral life and virtuous politics.

3. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This principle renders me incapable of remaining idle or being complacent in the face of wrongdoing and malpractice, as it leaves me impassioned with not only a moral obligation, but also a personal desire to act.

4. "The mark of an educated mind is to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle

The need for intellectual open-mindedness is essential for efficacious and proper personal relations as well as in the field of academia.

5. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Beatrice Hall, in paraphrasing Voltaire's defense for Freedom of Speech

6. Seven Social Sins: "politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi

This is an accurate detail of the vices in our global society that I hope to work towards curtailing, in order that we may achieve a world of greater virtue and proper principle.