Quotes About Character

We have our moment of origin damage and the belief about the world that it created. In this next step, the character needs to see powerful evidence that their belief is correct.

The kind of elitists I admire are those who ruthlessly seek out and encourage intelligence and who believe that competition—and, inevitably, some measure of failure—will do more for character than coddling ever can. My kind of elitist does not grade on a curve and is willing to flunk the whole class.

The talent of a meat-packer, the morals of a moneychanger and the manners of an undertaker.

Virtue is an habit whereby the will is inclined to do well.

One thing, however, we may say with tolerable confidence: whatever may be the germ of a play--whether it be an anecdote, a situation, or what not--the play will be of small account as a work of art unless character, at a very early point, enters into and conditions its development. The story which is independent of character--which can be carried through by a given number of ready-made puppets--is essentially a trivial thing.

Deeds, not words, are the demonstration and test of character.

If honor be your clothing, the suit will last a lifetime; but if clothing be your honor, it will soon be worn threadbare.

He adds that the worse a man is, the less likely he is to accept constructive criticism.

Epictetus tells us that "it is difficulties that reveal what men amount to; and so, whenever you're struck by a difficulty, remember that God, like a trainer in the gymnasium, has matched you against a tough young opponent." And why would God do such a thing?

The pursuit of virtue results in a degree of tranquility, which in turn makes it easier for us to pursue virtue.

Thus, Epictetus advises us to form "a certain character and pattern" for ourselves when we are alone. Then, when we associate with other people, we should remain true to who we are.

we have complete control over our character. We are, he says, the only ones who can stop ourselves from attaining goodness and integrity.

The concept behind personal integrity is wholeness. When a person is the same without as within, when what others know about him is the same truth he knows about himself, he has integrity.

In the book of Proverbs in the Bible, it reads, As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

A fish might more easily live on the apex of a rock than a man accustomed to crime live a life of virtue. ("The Story of Prince Barkiarokh")

All real education is the architecture of the soul.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.

Want of money and the distress of a thief can never be alleged as the cause of his thieving, for many honest people endure greater hardships with fortitude. We must therefore seek the cause elsewhere than in want of money, for that is the miser's passion, not the thief s.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.

Casanova had no ordinary shame

In short, she (Seraphina) had luck and judgment, but no morals.

Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted.

if i add that my uncle took mathematical strides of exactly three feet, and that, while walking, he firmly clenches his fists-the sign of an impetuous temperament-then you will know him well enough not to wish to spend too much time in his company

In a society that has cast out imaginative tradition, only a few people - three or four thousand out of millions - favoured by their own characters and by happy circumstance, and only then after much labour, have understanding of imaginative things, and yet "the imagination is the man himself".