Quotes About Character

Universal empire is the prerogative of a writer. His concerns are with all mankind, and though he cannot command their obedience, he can assign them their duty. The Republic of Letters is more ancient than monarchy, and of far higher character in the world than the vassal court of Britain.

And herein lies the solution to the riddle of existence--to take a part of the Infinite Life, give it individuality by incarnating it in human flesh, multiplying and projecting it through human personality, polishing and refining it through the vicissitudes of material environment, until it comes to express so much of the Infinite character that to have seen it is to have seen God.

Perhaps the surest test of an individual's integrity is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect.

Great management is about character, not technique.

His heart's in the right place, but his tongue's an affliction.

Such mistress, such Nan,Such master, such man.

Better is that sin which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.

No flattery can heal a bad conscience, so no slander can hurt a good one.

Humility was never a loser.

An upright man is always worth beholding—but then he is most to be admired when like a bright star, he shines in the dark, and having lost all, he holds fast his integrity.

As no flattery can heal a bad conscience, so no slander can hurt a good one.

Bad aims will spoil good actions.

The hypocrite is fair to look on. He has a devout eye, but a hollow heart. But he who is sincere, his inside is his best side!

A judge judges only matters of fact, but God judges the heart. He not only judges wicked actions, but wicked designs. He sees the treason of the heart and punishes it.

Better is that temptation which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.

If a man has no vices, he's in great danger of making vices out of his virtues, and there's a spectacle. We've all seen them: men who were monsters of philanthropy and women who were dragons of purity. ... No, no - nurse one vice in your bosom. Give it the attention it deserves and let your virtues spring up modesly around it.

She had been through hard straits herself and assumed that persons of quality did not discuss them. Steel exists to support pressure.

That men aren't naturally good; but girls are.

Para el puro, todo es puro; para el ruin todo es ruin.

They whose minds are least sensitive to calamity, and whose hands are most quick to meet it, are the greatest men and the greatest communities.

He is not dead who departs from life with a high and noble fame; but he is dead, even while living, whose brow is branded with infamy.

He is not dead who departs this life with high fame; dead is he, though living, whose brow is branded with infamy.

Choice betrays character," I said. "That's not true." Loring moved his finger along the sheet as if writing his name in cursive. "Eliza, you can't judge a man solely on his actions. Sometimes actions are nothing more than reactions.

I felt betrayed and deceived, and I feared I'd never get to be a William Eggleston character.