Quotes About Character

It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.

Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?

It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

Is 'fat' really the worst thing a human being can be? Is 'fat' worse than 'vindictive', 'jealous', 'shallow', 'vain', 'boring' or 'cruel'? Not to me.

No matter how brilliant a man may be, he will never engender confidence in his subordinates and associates if he lacks simple honesty and moral courage.

People who are gifted to preach, prophesy and represent God must be careful to stay humble, or they will contract and spread the deadly infection of pride.

Become major, Paul. Live like a hero. That's what the classics teach us. Be a main character. Otherwise what is life for?

With respect to relationships within the church, the leader is to be above reproach. Detractors should not have a rung to stand on. If a charge is preferred against him, it fails because his life affords no grounds for reproach or indictment of wrongdoing. His adversary finds no opening for a smear campaign, rumor mongering, or gossip.

El joven con calibre cíe liderazgo trabajará mientras otros desperdician el tiempo, estudiará mientras los otros dormitan, orará mientras los otros sueñan despiertos. Los hábitos perezosos deben vencerse, ya sea en el modo de pensar, de obrar, o de vestir.

As to behavior, the leader must be respectable. A well-ordered life is the fruit of a well-ordered mind. The life of the leader should reflect the beauty and orderliness of God.

Many people regard leaders as natually gifted with intellect, personal forcefulness, and enthusiasm. Such qualities certainly enhance leadership potential, but they do not define the spiritual leader. True leaders must be willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or churchly assemblies. God alone makes them.

God wants to show such people how strong He really is (2 Chronicles 16:9). But not all who aspire to leadership are willing to pay such a high personal price.

It has been said that in Jesus' character no strong points were obvious because there were no weak ones. Strong points necessarily presuppose weak ones, but no weaknesses can be alleged of Him. In the best of men there is obvious inconsistency and inequality, and since the tallest bodies cast the longest shadows, the greater the man, the more glaring his faults are likely to be. With Christ it was far otherwise. He was without flaw or contradiction.

The final estimate of men shows that history cares not an iota for the rank or title a man has borne, or the office he has held, but only the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart."2

Humility is also a hallmark of the spiritual leader. Christ told His disciples to turn away from the pompous attitudes of the oriental despots, and instead take on the lowly bearing of the servant (Matthew 20:25-27). As in ancient days, so today humility is least admired in political and business circles. But no bother! The spiritual leader will choose the hidden path of sacrificial service and approval of the Lord over the flamboyant self-advertising of the world.

Will the leader reflect the ugliness of egotism or the transfigured glory of Christ the Lord?

Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation.

Neither strident nor flamboyant, God's servant conducts a ministry that appears almost self-defacing. What a contrast to the arrogant self-advertising of so many hypesters today, both in and out of the church.

It has always been my contention that an individual who can be relied upon to be himself and to be honest unto himself can be relied upon in every other way.

But it was this tough little character part that I was playing, a very funny little guy that I invented over a weekend, because I realized I was not contributing to the humor of this thing. And I had to do something.

We rise in popwer and make a difference in the world due to what is best about human nature, but we fall from power due to what is worst.

It is easy to be nice, even to an enemy from lack of character.

There are some among the so-called elite who are overbearing and arrogant. I want to foster leaders, not elitists.

My fellow officers find that peculiar but I am rather proud of my eccentricities