Quotes About Character

A good will is good not because of what it performs or effects, not by its aptness for the attainment of some proposed end, but simply by virtue of the volition - that is, it is good in itself, and considered by itself is to be esteemed much higher than all that can be brought about by it in favor of any inclination, nay, even of the sum-total of all inclinations... like a jewel, it would still shine by its own light, as a thing which has its whole value in itself.

Knowledge becomes really such only when it is assimilated in the mind of the learner and shows in his character.

What is important is to try to develop insights and wisdom rather than mere knowledge, respect someone's character rather than his learning, and nurture men of character rather than mere talents.

dishonor is like a scar on a tree, which time, instead of effacing, only helps to enlarge. Mencius

I've heard it said that we are the sum total of every choice we've ever made.

A prince rarely arrives on a white horse. You'll recognize him all the same.

Gli eventi gravi, fasti o nefasti che siano, non cambiano la natura dicun uomo ma permettono di definirla meglio, così come un colpo di vento, spazzando all'improvviso le foglie morte, rivela la forma di un albero; mettono in luce quello che era rimasto in ombra; danno allo spirito l'inclinazione che da lì in avanti lo caratterizzerà.

One of Balzac's characters might live here. It must have been built by a wealthy provincial notary who retired to the countryside. I imagine him, at night, in my room, counting out his gold coins.

Os acontecimentos graves, felizes ou infelizes, não alteram a alma de um homem, mas precisam-na, tal como uma rajada de vento revela a forma de uma árvore ao varrer num ápice as folhas mortas; trazem para a luz aquilo que estava relegado na sombra; inclinam o espírito na direcção em que passará a crescer.

I suppose because our hearts are made in a certain way we cannot help being what we are.

People have obsessions and fears and passions which they don't admit to. I think every character is interesting and has extremes. It's the novelist privilege to see how odd everyone is.

My personal peculiarities could not offend her since she was totally uninterested in my pretensions to be a person.

I wonder if it's harder to be good in this age?

How absolute the knave is!

To describe one's character is difficult and not necessarily illuminating. The story which follows will reveal, whether I will or no, what sort of person I am.

Clement, usually a fluent speaker in any situation, could hear his voice assuming a pompous and affected tone, not unlike that which many actors use (wrongly in Clement's view) when playing Polonius.

Perversity and obstinacy are integral tae the Scottish character.

that fucker defines cuntishness.

They call um Sick Boy, no because he's eywis sick wi junk withdrawal, but because he's just one sick cunt.

One ay the nicest cunts ye could hope tae meet.

Everyone has their own personality, its own character, and if he respects that, everything would finally fall over for good only.

From the biography of Freud, by Irving Stone, said by Freud's fiance after he teased her for being sweet, Beware of truly sweet people. They have will of iron.

There seemed to be that same fierce quest after truth, the same unafraid penetration, the same feeling that character is beauty, no matter how sordid it may appear.

I'm never less alone than when alone. And he sighed, for he knew himself to be a victim of his own character.