Quotes About Character

It is not reasonings that are wanted now,' he says, 'for there are books stuffed full of stoical reasonings. What is wanted, then? The man who shall apply them; whose actions may bear testimony to his doctrines. Assume this character for me, that we may no longer make use in the schools of the examples of the ancients, but may have some examples of our own.

I am prepared to show you that you have resources and a character naturally strong and resilient; show me in return what grounds you have for being peevish and malcontent.

I hope death overtakes me when I'm occupied solely with the care of my character, in an effort to make it passionless, free, unrestricted and unrestrained.

Because I have no natural gifts, shall I on that account give up my discipline? Far be it from me! Epictetus will not be better than Socrates, but if only I am not worse, that suffices me. For I shall not be a Milo, either, and yet I do not neglect my body, nor a Croesus, and yet I do not neglect my property, nor, in a word, is there any other field in which we give up the appropriate discipline merely from despair of attaining the highest.

It is not reasonings that are wanted now for there are books stuffed full of stoical reasonings. What is wanted, then? The man who shall apply them; whose actions may bear testimony to his doctrines. Assume this character for me, that we may no longer make use in the schools of the examples of the ancients, but may have some examples of our own.

A person's worth, after all, is not found in possessions or style.

33] Consider at what price you sell your integrity; but please, for God's sake, don't sell it cheap.

The true basis for being respected is to appear refined and modest.

If your choices are beautiful, so too will you be.

It is difficult circumstances that show real men.

Whenever externals are more important to you than your own integrity, then be prepared to serve them the remainder of your life.

A vine cannot behave olively, nor an olive tree vinely – it is impossible, inconceivable.

What, then, is your own? The way you live your life.

If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned'.

A boxer derives the greatest advantage from his sparring partner – and my accuser is my sparring partner. He trains me in patience, civility and even temper.

I have a bad neighbour – bad, that is, for himself. For me, though, he is good: he exercises my powers of fairness and sociability.

None of those who have been raised to a loftier height by riches and honours is really great.

First, tell yourself what you want to be, then act your part accordingly.

A bad person's character cannot be trusted, it's weak and indecisive, easily won over by different impressions at different times.

But I'll get money, and then share it." If you can acquire riches without losing your honor and self-respect, then do it. But if you lose what is dearest to you, no amount of money can make up for it.

Be the same person in public as in private.

Which of us does not admire what Lycurgus the Spartan did? A young citizen had put out his eye, and been handed over to him by the people to be punished at his own discretion. Lycurgus abstained from all vengeance, but on the contrary instructed and made a good man of him. Producing him in public in the theatre, he said to the astonished Spartans: I received this young man at your hands full of violence and wanton insolence; I restore him to you in his right mind and fit to serve his country.

Consider at what price you sell your integrity; but please, for God's sake, don't sell it cheap.

He didn't care; it was not his skin he wanted to save, but the man of honour and integrity. These things are not open to compromise or negotiation.