This article began as one engineer’s reflection and became something more through conversation. Kimball Williams shared his thoughts, then stepped back to let us reshape his words. We’re grateful for his trust in the collaborative process.
Training in any of the scientific or technical disciplines is rarely linked to the faith-based philosophies that abound in our societies. Yet, upon reflection, the virtues of faith, hope, and charity—so often discussed in spiritual contexts—are deeply embedded in the daily work of engineers.
A well-known quote from the Christian Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:13, states: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.” The Greek language offers multiple words for love, and in some translations, “charity” is used instead—emphasizing generosity and selflessness. While the Quran may not present these three virtues in a single verse, its teachings consistently highlight their importance: “Allah loves the doers of good.” Similarly, Hindu texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads recount stories of those who extend help and are rewarded for their efforts.
These early philosophical and spiritual teachings—our first “schools” of human behavior—stress the same principles that quietly guide our work as engineers. In fact, these virtues are not just abstract ideals; they are practical tools in the world of compliance and technical problem-solving.
Would any of us begin a project without at least a little faith that we could carry it to completion? Faith in our training, our tools, and the standards we follow—whether it’s NEC, IEEE, or UL—is what allows us to move forward. We trust that Ohm’s Law still applies, that Maxwell’s equations remain true, and that the principles of Newton and Kepler continue to guide our understanding of motion and force.
Hope is equally essential. We may not see every solution at the outset, but we hope our education and experience will help us navigate the unknowns. In compliance work, hope shows up in our diligence: we hope our documentation is thorough, our designs meet evolving standards, and our teams catch errors before they become liabilities.
And then there’s charity—perhaps the most overlooked virtue in technical fields. But in engineering, charity often takes the form of collaboration. When we encounter a problem that vexes us, we reach out to colleagues, mentors, and peers. Their generosity—whether it’s time, insight, or encouragement—is a form of love. It’s what makes engineering a human endeavor, not just a technical one.
We’ve learned much since our earliest philosophers gave us guidelines for social behavior, but their lessons remain valid. Just as gravity hasn’t stopped working and levers still function, the principles of faith, hope, and charity continue to support our work—even in the most regulated and rigorous corners of engineering.
And sometimes, amid the calculations and compliance checklists, we’re reminded of wonder. The lightning bugs have returned to the backyard again—tiny lanterns of joy blinking in the dusk. And just the other day, a visitor perched quietly on the rail outside the window. Regal, focused, and utterly still. A reminder that life is still unfolding, still offering quiet moments of grace.
So if the daily news feels heavy, and the world seems uncertain, pause. Notice that life continues. The sun still rises in the East and sets in the West. And in our work, as in our lives, faith, hope, and charity remain—not just as virtues, but as engineering fundamentals.
