Quotes About Character

In closing, Washington referred to the character of Jesus, "the Divine author of our blessed religion.

Every president "ought to be personally responsible for his behaviour in office.

Washington grew as a leader because he engaged in searching self- criticism. "I can bear to hear of imputed or real errors," he once wrote. "The man who wishes to stand well in the opinion of others must do this, because he is thereby enabled to correct his faults or remove prejudices which are imbibed against him."41 The one thing Washington could not abide was when people published criticisms of him without first giving him a chance to respond privately

How this seemingly dull, phlegmatic man, in a stupendous act of nation building, presided over the victorious Continental Army and forged the office of the presidency is a mystery to most Americans. Something essential about Washington has been lost to posterity, making him seem a worthy but plodding man who somehow stumbled into greatness.

Sheridan had a pugnacity that refused to quit, and Sherman described him as "a persevering terrier dog, honest, modest, plucky and smart enough." Quite unlike Grant

Grant roomed with Fred Dent, who also singled out Grant as "the clearest headed young man I ever saw . . . He always wanted to do what was right, and we all had great respect for him. He was a singed cat—a great deal better than he looked.

Conversely, the failures that a man makes in his life are due almost always to some defect in his personality

Are you going to let this money puff you up? Keep your eyes open. Don't lose your balance.

Harriman was a very different type from Pierpont.

Self-sufficiency and a contempt of the science and experience of others are too prevailing traits of character in this country," he wailed to John Jay.

He had long bewailed his inability to delegate authority—"It is my nature and I cannot help it

Rockefeller could brush off Tarbell's critique of his business methods as biased, but he was deeply pained by the character study.

By instinct, by blind faith, by knowledge of his father's private character—by everything but detailed knowledge of his business career

John Adams said that if Washington "was not the greatest president, he was the best actor of the presidency we have ever had.

Wit not well govern'd rankles into vice / He to his Jest his Friend will sacrifice!

Mr. J.P. he's such a sweetie underneath the sternness

With granite will, he began to mold Pierpont, instructing him to associate with those of his grammar-school classmates "as are of the right stamp & whose influence over you will be good.

The man born without honor placed a premium on maintaining his.

It is revealing that Morgan didn't leap at the fortune but responded with cool self-control.

he was an unusually sober and purposeful young man. In countless letters in later years, he advised young relatives that adolescence was a risky time when evil influences lurked nearby, ready to pounce: "You are now extending into that stage of life when good or bad habits are formed. When the mind will be turned to things useful and praiseworthy or to dissipation and vice.

Mr. Adams is vain, suspicious, and stubborn, of an excessive self-regard, taking counsel with nobody."9 Jefferson predicted to Létombe that Adams would last only one term and urged the French to invade England.

Washington possessed the outstanding judgment, sterling character, and clear sense of purpose needed to guide his sometimes wayward protégé; he saw that the volatile Hamilton needed a steadying hand.

In fact, Washington wasn't nonchalant and could be exacting and quick to take offense.

Even as a young man, Rockefeller was extremely composed in a crisis. In this respect, he was a natural leader: The more agitated others became, the calmer he grew.