After Confederate General Robert E. Lee retired from the military, he was named President of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, originally named Washington Academy because of a gift from George Washington. The name was changed in 1871 in honor of General Lee.

While Lee was president of the University, a new student came into his office and asked for a copy of the school's rules and regulations. Lee looked at him and said, "Son, we don't have any rules and regulations in print." The young man said, "You mean this school has no rules?" Lee replied, "Yes, we have only one." He said, "What is it?" Lee replied, "Our only rule is kindness."1

We are living in a society in which kindness is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. Not long ago, the front page cover story of U. S…