Buzz
Many have suggested compiling a list of extraordinary individuals to counterbalance the 'Evil People' lists. After researching, I've identified 10 remarkable men, some of whom are well-known worldwide. These individuals exemplify goodness, something that can be rare in comparison to the prevalence of evil. If you disagree with my list or think I've missed someone, feel free to share your thoughts. I hope you enjoy reading it.
10. Baha’u’llah
Baha’u’llah, born in 1817 into a distinguished Persian family, was connected to the royal lineage of Persia’s past. Despite the opportunities his aristocratic background offered, he chose to turn away from court life. His decision was driven by a deep sense of generosity and kindness, qualities that endeared him to the people of his country and made him widely respected and beloved.
Baha’u’llah’s privileged position changed dramatically when He expressed His support for the message of the Báb. In the aftermath of the Báb’s execution, a wave of violence swept through the Bábis, causing Baha’u’llah to lose everything He had, as He endured imprisonment, torture, and a series of exiles. His first exile took Him to Baghdad, where, in 1863, He declared Himself as the One foretold by the Báb. From there, Baha’u’llah was sent to Constantinople, Adrianople, and finally to Acre, in the Holy Land, arriving in 1868 as a prisoner.
From Adrianople and later from Acre, Baha’u’llah wrote several letters to the rulers of His time. These letters are considered some of the most significant in religious history, calling for the unity of mankind and the rise of a global civilization. He urged the monarchs, emperors, and presidents of the 19th century to put aside their conflicts, reduce their weapons, and focus on promoting universal peace.
Baha’u’llah passed away at Bahji, just north of Acre, where He is buried. By the time of His death, His teachings had already spread beyond the Middle East. His Shrine has become the central point for the worldwide community that His teachings have inspired.
9. Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, stands as one of the clearest representations of the American ideal. His education began at the age of eight in grammar school, but by ten, he was already working. At twelve, he became an apprentice to his brother James, a printer of the New England Courant. It was there that Benjamin published his first anonymous article in 1721. Known for his insatiable curiosity and sharp skepticism, he frequently mocked Boston's residents through satirical writings, causing tension with his brother and the city. At the age of 16, he fled to New York, eventually reaching Philadelphia in search of work. A later opportunity sent him to Europe to acquire supplies for a new printing venture in Philadelphia, but upon arrival, he was abandoned. Through determination and thrift, Franklin earned his way back to Philadelphia in 1732 and started a new career as a printer. He was appointed Clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1736 and became the Postmaster the following year. In 1741, he began publishing the widely influential Poor Richard's Almanac. By 1751, Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly and began representing the colony and others in dealings with England, France, and other European nations.
In 1775, Franklin was elected to the Continental Congress, where his role in the rebellion against Great Britain was vital. He contributed significantly to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence by assisting Jefferson with editing. By this time, Franklin had become wealthy and retired from publishing, yet he continued to serve in various important governmental capacities. He became the first Postmaster General of the United States, as well as Minister to the French Court, a treaty negotiator, and a signer of the peace agreement with Great Britain. A celebrated participant in the Constitutional Convention, Franklin was not just a businessman, writer, and publisher but also a scientist, diplomat, legislator, and social reformer. He was an early and outspoken advocate for the abolition of slavery and the rights of Native Americans. When he passed away on April 17, 1790, he was still one of the most revered figures in America.
Socrates, the founder of the Socratic method, is one of history's most revered philosophers. His approach, based on dialectical questioning, gained him recognition across every facet of Greek society, from households to universities to government offices. Born to a sculptor and stonecutter in Athens, he initially followed his father's trade before turning to intellectual pursuits. Socrates became inspired by other prominent philosophers of the time, including Plato and Xenophon. After their encounter, Plato wrote extensively using Socrates' persona to convey that logic and structured argumentation were powerful tools for challenging opposing views.
Socrates, famed as the creator of the Socratic method, is celebrated as one of the most influential philosophers in Western history. His method, which emphasized the importance of questioning and dialogue, helped him earn a formidable reputation throughout Greece in various domains, including society, academia, and government. Born to a sculptor and stonecutter in Athens, Socrates initially worked in his father's profession before turning to philosophy. His intellectual curiosity led him to the teachings of other renowned philosophers like Plato and Xenophon. Plato, in turn, used Socrates as a central figure in his philosophical works, demonstrating through Socratic dialogues how sound reasoning could prevail over any adversary.
Socrates professed to hear divine voices that guided him on matters of morality and would caution him if he strayed from the high ideals of truth and justice. He also believed that the wisest individuals in Greece were not truly wise, because they failed to recognize their own ignorance. For Socrates, true wisdom came from acknowledging one's ignorance, as this recognition leads to the highest form of wisdom.
Many in Athens accused Socrates of corrupting the minds of the city's youth, claiming that his teachings were at odds with the objectives of the Athenian government. In the 'Apology', Socrates demonstrates his method of questioning, where he argues that because the government had not thoughtfully considered the well-being of the youth, they could not justly accuse him of corruption. His approach involves continuous questioning that eventually leads to a logical conclusion. Socrates' fame, philosophy, and logical techniques earned him immense admiration, and his influence continues to be a cornerstone of philosophical thought.
7. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, at his family home. A gifted orator and Baptist minister, King emerged as a key leader in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. He advocated for nonviolent resistance to bring about civil rights reforms and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 in recognition of his efforts.
King’s grandfather was a Baptist preacher, and his father served as the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. King obtained his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozier Theological Seminary in 1951 and earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Boston University in 1955.
While studying at seminary, King was introduced to the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, as taught by Mohandas Gandhi. During a trip to India in 1959, King met with Gandhi's followers, and through these interactions, his belief in the power of nonviolent protest as the most effective tool for oppressed people seeking freedom was strengthened.
As the pastor of a Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama, King led a historic bus boycott. He, along with ninety others, was arrested and charged under a law prohibiting the obstruction of business operations. Though King and several others were convicted, they appealed their case. The boycott's prolonged duration helped establish King’s growing national fame, and its eventual success solidified his status as a national hero.
Dr. King’s 1963 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' played a pivotal role in inspiring a burgeoning national civil rights movement. The goal in Birmingham was to eliminate segregation in all public areas, including stores, bathrooms, drinking fountains, and employment. Later that year, King led a massive march on Washington, D.C., where he delivered his iconic 'I Have A Dream' speech. His active nonviolent tactics—such as sit-ins and protest marches—placed civil rights firmly on the national agenda.
On April 4, 1968, King was tragically shot by James Earl Ray while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time of his death, he was only 39 years old. Dr. King had been focusing his efforts on a national campaign to fight poverty when he was assassinated.
6. The Dalai Lama
As stated on his official website, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, serves as both Tibet's spiritual leader and head of state. Born on July 6, 1935, in the small farming village of Taktser, Amdo, located in northeastern Tibet, he was initially named Lhamo Dhondup. At the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. The Dalai Lamas are believed to embody Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet, with Bodhisattvas being enlightened beings who delay their nirvana to be reborn and aid humanity.
5. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born in a small village in South Africa, to a local chief and his third wife. He was the first in his family to receive a Western education and was inspired to study law after observing the democracy present in African tribal governance at a young age. Mandela became a prominent lawyer in Johannesburg, defending black South Africans against the government's increasingly unjust policies, and a key member of the African National Congress, a political party working to unite all Africans and reclaim their rights and freedom. He took part in boycotts, organized protests, and rallied his people, only to be branded an enemy of the state. Accused of treason, banned from political activities, disbarred, and sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela’s time behind bars brought global attention to the racial injustices of South Africa’s apartheid system, fueling the worldwide cry to 'Free Nelson Mandela.'
Mandela spent 27 years in prison before his release in 1990, at the age of 72. In 1994, he was elected South Africa’s first black president. Although he retired from active politics in 1999, Mandela remained an influential figure, speaking out on global issues such as the AIDS crisis, poverty, and human rights. He also played a vital role in securing South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Nelson Mandela is regarded as one of the world’s most respected and admired political leaders. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, serving as a powerful symbol of the strength of the human spirit to endure adversity and fight for freedom.
4. Mohandas Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Kathiawar, West India. After studying law in London, he moved to South Africa in 1893, where he spent 20 years fighting against discriminatory laws targeting Indians. As a leader of the Satyagraha movement—advocating non-violent civil disobedience—Gandhi emerged as a major political and spiritual figure. The principles of Satyagraha continue to be a powerful influence in global freedom movements today.
In 1914, Gandhi returned to India where he championed the Home Rule movement and assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress. He promoted non-violent non-co-operation as a strategy for India's independence. His focus was on aiding poor farmers and laborers to protest against unjust taxation and discrimination. Additionally, he sought to alleviate poverty, empower women, and eliminate caste discrimination, all aiming for India’s self-rule.
After his campaign of civil disobedience between 1919 and 1922, Gandhi was imprisoned for conspiracy. In 1930, he led a symbolic 320 km (200 mi) march to the sea to defy the British salt monopoly. Following his release in 1931, he participated in the London Round Table Conference to discuss Indian constitutional reform. In 1946, he negotiated with the Cabinet Mission on a proposed new constitutional structure. After India gained independence in 1947, he worked to quell the Hindu-Muslim conflict in Bengal, a stance which ultimately led to his assassination in Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist.
Even after his passing, Gandhi's dedication to non-violence and his belief in simple living—such as making his own clothes, following a vegetarian diet, and using fasting for self-purification and protest—remains a symbol of hope for oppressed and marginalized communities around the world.
3. Jesus Christ
I have ranked Jesus Christ as number one because His influence reaches far beyond anyone else on this list. With more followers than any other religious group, Jesus of Nazareth is the foundational figure of Christianity. Christianity, as the world’s largest religion, has shaped not only Europe but much of the world as well, continuing to make an impact today. The primary sources about Jesus' life and teachings come from the four canonical gospels. Most historians and biblical scholars agree that ancient texts on Jesus' life are at least partially accurate, acknowledging Him as a Galilean Jew regarded as a teacher and healer. It is also widely accepted that He was baptized by John the Baptist and was crucified in Jerusalem under the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, for the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Interestingly, the most peaceful man on this list is also known for saying: 'Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.' [St Matthew 10:34]
2. Confucius
Master Kong Qiu, also known as Confucius, lived from 551 to 479 BC and remains one of the most influential philosophers in Eastern history. He emphasized crucial ethical and political principles during a time when the Greeks were pursuing similar ideas. Although we often associate democracy with ancient Greece, Confucius expressed in his Analects that 'the best government is one that rules through 'rites' and the people’s natural morality, rather than by using bribery and coercion.' This may seem obvious to us today, but Confucius wrote it in the early 500s to late 400s BC, sharing the same democratic principle that the Greeks later developed: that the morality of the people should govern, and thus rule should come from the people.
Confucius supported the concept of an Emperor but also argued for limitations on the emperor’s power. The emperor must be truthful, and his subjects should respect him, but that respect must be earned. If the emperor makes a mistake, it is the duty of his subjects to offer suggestions for correction, and he must give them consideration. Any ruler who disregards these principles is a tyrant, and in truth, a thief more than a true leader.
Confucius also created his own version of the Golden Rule, a concept that had already been present in Greece for over a century before him. His version was nearly identical, but with a further expansion: 'What one does not wish for oneself, one should not do to others; what one desires for oneself, one should be willing to offer to others.' The first part is a passive injunction against harm, while the second part emphasizes an active desire to help others. The only other philosopher from antiquity to express the Golden Rule in the positive form was Jesus Christ.
1. Siddhartha Gautama
Around the sixth century B.C., Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family. In his youth, the reality of the world outside drove him to seek a deeper understanding of life and spiritual enlightenment. Through meditation and seeking guidance, Siddhartha is said to have attained Enlightenment. From then on, he was known as the Buddha, meaning 'Enlightened One'. The Buddha spent the remainder of his life traveling and sharing teachings about a path to spiritual salvation. After his passing, his disciples continued to spread his teachings. Buddhism emerged at a time when Hinduism, the dominant religion in India, had become rigidly controlled by priests and the upper classes. Buddhism offered a new spiritual hope and path to enlightenment for ordinary people. To this day, the teachings of the Buddha continue to inspire people all over the world.
