Motivational Quotes

Character

Strong feelings do not necessarily make a strong character. The strength of a man is to be measured by the power of the feelings he subdues not by the power of those which subdue him.

- William Carleton

Best Quotes about Character

The hell to be endured hereafter, of which theology tells, is no worse than the hell we make for ourselves in this world by habitually fashioned our characters in the wrong way.

James, William

Character is like the foundation of a house -- it is below the surface.

It is not what he had, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.

Amiel, Henri Frederic

If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how -- the very best I can. And I mean to keep on doing it to the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me will not amount to anything. If the end brings me out all wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

Lincoln, Abraham

It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one's heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.

Covey, Stephen R.

Character is a by-product; it is produced in the great manufacture of daily duty.

Wilson, Woodrow T.

Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von

Judge of your natural character by what you do in dreams.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

When about to commit a base deed, respect thyself, though there is no witness.

Ausonius, Decimus Magnus

10.

If you create an act, you create a habit. If you create a habit, you create a character. If you create a character, you create a destiny.

Maurois, Andre

11.

Characters do not change. Opinions alter, but characters are only developed.

Disraeli, Benjamin

12.

The character of a man is known from his conversations.

Menander

13.

It isn't the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, that counts.

Howell, Harry

14.

The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves.

Trotsky, Leon

15.

My father told me that if you saw a man in a Rolls Royce you could be sure he was not a gentleman unless he was the chauffeur.

Arran, Earl of

16.

Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

17.

The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

18.

When God measures man, He puts the tape around his heart -- not his head.

Guideposts

19.

Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted.

20.

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.

Solon

21.

There's a fine line between character building and soul destroying.

Hay, Colin

22.

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

King Jr. Martin Luther

23.

Character is not made in a crisis -- it is only exhibited.

Freeman, Robert

24.

Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.

Sivananda, Sri Swami

25.

I could never think well of a man's intellectual or moral character, if he was habitually unfaithful to his appointments.

Nathaniel Emmons

26.

The highest qualities of character must be earned.

Abbott, Lyman

27.

Life every man holds dear; but the dear man holds honor far more precious dear than life.

Shakespeare, William

28.

Instill the love of you into all the world, for a good character is what is remembered.

Merikare

29.

You can buy a person's time; you can buy their physical presence at a given place; you can even buy a measured number of their skilled muscular motions per hour. But you can not buy enthusiasm... you can not buy loyalty. You can not buy the devotion of hearts, minds, or souls. You must earn these.

Francis, Clarence

30.

If you stand straight, do not fear a crooked shadow.

Proverb, Chinese

31.

Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificed on the altar of conformity and popularity.

32.

Character is the result of a system of stereotyped principles.

Hume, David

33.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.

Keller, Helen

34.

Wealth stays with us a little moment if at all: only our characters are steadfast, not our gold.

Euripides

35.

It is with trifles and when he is off guard that a man best reveals his character.

Schopenhauer, Arthur

36.

Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work.

Marden, Orison Swett

37.

That which we call character is a reserved force which acts directly by presence, and without means. It is conceived of as a certain undemonstrable force, a familiar or genius, by whose impulses the man is guided, but whose counsels he cannot impart.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

38.

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.

Elmer G. Letterman

39.

Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

40.

You must regulate your life by the standards you admire when you are at your best.

Thomas, John M.

41.

Wherever man goes to dwell his character goes with him.

Proverb, African

42.

He that has light within his own clear breast may sit in the center, and enjoy bright day: But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts benighted walks under the mid-day sun;

Milton, John

43.

Not to be cheered by praise, not to be grieved by blame, but to know thoroughly ones own virtues or powers are the characteristics of an excellent man.

Pandita, Saskya

44.

We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.

Lincoln, Abraham

45.

Good character is like a rubber ball -- thrown down hard -- it bounces right back. Good reputation is like a crystal ball -- thrown for gain -- shattered and cracked.

Linall Jr. A. L.

46.

For character too is a process and an unfolding... among our valued friends is there not someone or other who is a little too self confident and disdainful; whose distinguished mind is a little spotted with commonness; who is a little pinched here and protuberant there with native prejudices; or whose better energies are liable to lapse down the wrong channel under the influence of transient solicitations?

Eliot, George

47.

An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards, himself his own dungeon.

Pandita, Saskya

48.

Too many lives are needed to make just one.

Montale, Eugenio

49.

One can acquire everything in solitude - except character.

Marie Henri Beyle

50.

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconcious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character

Covey, Stephen R.