There is a story that is included in the book "The Book Of Virtues" by William J. Bennett. It means a lot to me. It resonated big time. It's called In Memory of L.H.W. by Dorothy Canfield Fisher.
Framing of the Story
The piece is written as a memorial reflection—someone looking back on the life of L.H.W. after his death. From the outset, the tone is almost puzzling: why would such an ordinary, even obscure man deserve remembrance?
That question drives the story.
Who L.H.W. Was (On the Surface)
L.H.W. is presented as:
- A shepherd / rural laborer
- Poor, uneducated, and socially rough
- Not impressive in speech, manners, or appearance
- The kind of man people might overlook—or even dismiss
He’s not charismatic, not influential, not “important” by worldly standards.
At first glance, he seems like the last person anyone would consider noteworthy.
His Daily Life
The story then slowly builds a picture of how he lived:
- He worked steadily and faithfully, without complaint
- He accepted hardship as a normal part of life
- He did his duty—not occasionally, but consistently
- He lived with a kind of quiet moral discipline
There’s no grand turning point or dramatic event. That’s intentional—the author is emphasizing constancy over spectacle.
The Hidden Depth
As the reflection deepens, the narrator reveals something crucial:
L.H.W. possessed a deep inner life—a moral and spiritual seriousness that wasn’t visible on the surface.
- He had a sense of right and wrong that guided him
- He practiced self-control and restraint
- He showed kindness in practical, often unnoticed ways
- He endured difficulty without bitterness
This is where the “saint-like” quality begins to emerge—but it’s subtle. No halo, no recognition, no public admiration.
How Others Perceived Him
Most people:
- Didn’t fully understand him
- Didn’t admire him in any overt way
- May have seen him as simple or unremarkable
Only in hindsight—after his life is examined—does his character come into focus.
This is one of the story’s sharpest points: true virtue often goes unrecognized in real time.
The Turning Insight
The narrator arrives at a quiet but powerful realization:
A life like L.H.W.’s—faithful, honest, disciplined, humble—may actually be closer to true sainthood than lives that receive attention or praise.
Not because of dramatic acts, but because of:
- Consistency
- Integrity
- Unseen goodness
This is where that idea you remembered—“who might be a saint”—really lands.
Underlying Themes
The story is doing several things at once:
1. Redefining Greatness
It challenges the idea that greatness requires recognition, status, or achievement.
2. The Power of Ordinary Faithfulness
It elevates everyday obedience and responsibility as morally significant.
3. Hidden Virtue
It argues that the most genuinely good people may never be publicly known as such.
4. Judgment and Perception
It quietly critiques how easily people overlook or misjudge others based on outward traits.
Why It Sticks With People
The story lingers because it turns expectations upside down:
- The “hero” is not impressive
- The “saint” doesn’t look like one
- The impact is moral, not dramatic
It invites the reader to ask a personal question:
What kind of life actually counts as good?
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