"Stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone. I have always tried to do the right thing in life but have failed many times because of peer pressure In the book To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch, a strong lawyer and a loving father is a very strong example of this quote. Atticus always does the right thing regardless. He has lost respect and friends this way but has also gained respect. Atticus lives by his own rules and mostly by his conscience. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, an innocent black man who is being accused of beating and raping 19-year-old Mayella Ewell. He knows he is innocent and knows that if he does not defend Tom nobody else will because he is black. Atticus proves he is not a follower by defending Tom. Several children and adults torment Atticus and his family because he is doing the right thing for an innocent black man. The rest of the town does not believe defending someone that is black is the proper thing for a white lawyer to do. By Atticus sticking up for his beliefs and his morals he and his children are almost killed. His children get so angry with people tormenting them. They do not understand why their father is doing this. Jem goes over to Mrs. Dubose's house and chops all of her flowers down because she is talking bad about Atticus. When Atticus hears about this he is very angry. He makes Jem go over to her house to apologize. As punishment, he must read to her until she no longer wants him to read to her. Atticus teaches his children to respect others even if they do not always respect them. Atticus believes when a person hurts you, you do not hurt them in return or get angry, you must kill them through kindness. That really gets to a people and will make them think. Atticus treats everyone fairly and understands the way other people think. Because she wants to, Atticus lets Scout wear pants and does not think she should be treated differently because she is a girl.