Quotes About Character

The sincere wish to be good is half the battle.

I'd take it manfully, and be respected if I couldn't be loved

So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work troubles? She's a brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her.

But, you see, Jo wasn't a heroine, she was only a struggling human girl like hundreds of others, and she just acted out her nature, being sad, cross, listless, or energetic, as the mood suggested. It's highly virtuous to say we'll be good, but we can't do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.

She was standing before a fine portrait of the old gentleman when the door opened again, and, without turning, she said decidedly, 'I'm sure now that I shouldn't be afraid of him, for he's got kind eyes, though his mouth is grim, and he looks as if he had a tremendous will of his own. He isn't as handsome as my grandfather, but I like him.' 'Thank you, ma'am,' said a gruff voice behind her, and there, to her great dismay, stood old Mr. Laurence.

She would make a man of me. She puts strength and courage into me as no one else can. She is unlike any girl I ever saw; there's no sentimentality about her; she is wise, and kind, and sweet. She says what she means, looks you straight in the eye, and is as true as steel.

Virtue was its own reward.

I read somewhere that every inch of rope used in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so that wherever a bit of it is found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is.

He was not a perfect child, by any means, but his faults were of the better sort; and being early taught the secret of self-control, he was not left at the mercy of appetites and passions, as some poor little mortals are, and then punished for yielding to the temptations against which they have no armor.

You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius.

Ah, Jo, mothers may differ in their management, but the hope is the same in all – the desire to see their children happy." 'She began to see that character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty…

E' dalle piccolezze che si vede il carattere delle persone.

He was a fine man, my dear, but what is better, he was a brave and an honest one, and I was proud to be his friend.

I'm not Meg tonight, I'm a 'doll'.

Learn to know and value the praise which is worth having, and to excite the admiration of excellent people by being modest as well as pretty, Meg.

When people do one mean thing they are very likely to do another

You say often you wish a library. Here I gif you one, for between these lids (he meant covers) is many books in one. Read him well, and he will help you much, for the study of character in this book will help you to read it in the world and paint it with your pen.

Money is a needful and precious thing,—and, when well used, a noble thing,—but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for.

Non c'è pericolo che il vero ingegno e la vera bontà rimangano per molto tempo nascoste ma anche se questo accadesse la coscienza di possedere queste qualità e di impiegarle pel bene del prossimo, dovrebbe dare sufficiente soddisfazione, e, te lo ripeto, la più bella dote di una fanciulla è la modestia.

Beautiful souls often get put into plain bodies, but they cannot be hidden, and have a power all their own, the greater for the unconsciousness or the humility which gives it grace.

She began to see that character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty; and to feel that if greatness is what a wise man has defined it to be

study of Shakespeare helped her to read character, or

It's my dreadful temper! I try to cure it, I think I have, and then it breaks out worse than ever. Oh, mother, what shall I do? What shall I do?" "Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.

Poor Jo tried desperately to be good, but her bosom enemy was always ready to flame up and defeat her, and it took years of patient effort to subdue it.