Never allow the integrity of your own way of seeing things and saying things to be swamped by the influence of a master, however great.
—George Parsons Lathrop (1851–98) American Poet, Novelist, Newspaper Editor
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.
—H. Norman Schwarzkopf (b.1934) American Military Leader
I have only got down on to paper, really, three types of people: the person I think I am, the people who irritate me, and the people I’d like to be.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
To judge human character rightly, a man may sometimes have very small experience, provided he has a very large heart.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Don’t accept that others know you better than yourself. Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results.
—James Allen (1864–1912) British Philosophical Writer
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
Show me the man you honor, and I will know what kind of a man you are, for it shows me what your ideal of manhood is, and what kind of a man you long to be.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
He is like a good prewar house-solidly built. They don’t build them that way anymore. He’s also been repainted several times.
—Theodore H. White (1915–86) American Journalist, Historian, Novelist
Fame is what you have taken, character is what you give. When to this truth you awaken, then you begin to live.
—Bayard Taylor (1825–78) American Poet, Literary Critic, Translator, Translator
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden
We believe at once in evil, we only believe in good upon reflection. — Is not this sad?
—Dorothee Luzy Dotinville (1747–1830) French Dancer, Actress
Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap adestiny.
—Anonymous
As a tree is known by its fruit, so man by his works.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must yourself believe.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Among the sentiments of most powerful operation upon the human heart, and most highly honorable to the human character, are those of veneration for our forefathers and of love for our posterity.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) American Head of State, Lawyer
Some men are born to own, and can animate all their possessions. Others cannot: their owning is not graceful; seems to be a compromise of their character: they seem to steal their own dividends.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Talents are best nurtured in solitude; character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
If a man be self-controlled, truthful, wise, and resolute, is there aught that can stay out of reach of such a man?
—The Panchatantra Indian Collection of Fables and Folktales
It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet, I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever-approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) Holocaust Victim
Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Nothing endures but personal qualities.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.
—Art Linkletter (1912–2010) Canadian-born American Radio Personality, TV Personality
Men are not punished for their sins, but by them.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
They are slaves who fear to speak, for the fallen and the weak.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Too often the strong, silent man is silent only because he does not know what to say, and is reputed strong only because he has remained silent.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
While there’s life, there’s hope.
—Common Proverb
Character is a by-product; it is produced in the great manufacture of daily duty.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Every man’s work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or anything else, is always a portrait of himself, and the more he tries to conceal himself the more clearly will his character appear in spite of him.
—Samuel Butler
The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.
—Fred Astaire (1899–1987) American Actor, Film Personality, Theater Personality, Choreographer
Show class, have pride and display character.If you do, winning takes care of itself.
—Bear Bryant (1913–83) American Sportsperson
No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Protestant Clergyman, Social Reformer, Abolitionist
Few persons are made of such strong fiber that they will make a costly outlay when surface work will pass as well in the market.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.
—Malcolm Forbes (1919–90) American Publisher
Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Political leader, Historian
Property may be destroyed and money may lose its purchasing power; but, character, health, knowledge and good judgment will always be in demand under all conditions.
—Roger Babson (1875–1967) American Entre, Businessperson, Economist, Writer, Philanthropist
My angel, cries Booth, it delights me to hear you talk thus, and for a reason you little guess; for I am assured that one who can so heroically endure adversity, will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former, is not likely to be transported with the latter.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
If I can put one touch of a rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Christian Author, Poet, Minister
What others say of me matters little, what I myself say and do matters much.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French Head of State, Military Leader
Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads onto actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.
—Henry Clay (1777–1852) American Politician
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
Character is higher than intellect… a great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Surmounting difficulty is the crucible that forms character.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
There are three crowns: that of the Law, the priesthood, and royalty; but the crown of a good name is loftier than all these.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
—Unknown
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Don’t compromise yourself, it’s all you’ve got.
—Janis Joplin
When about to commit a base deed, respect thyself, though there is no witness.
—Ausonius (c.309–392 CE) Latin Poet, Rhetorician
After I’m dead I’d rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) (234–149 BCE) Roman Statesman
You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.
—Ask Ann Landers
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
—Morarji Desai (1896–1995) Indian Statesman, Nationalist Leader
During my eighty-seven years, I have witnessed a whole succession of technological revolutions. But none of them has done away with the need for character in the individual or the ability to think.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet
A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Scientist, Critic, Writer
Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Character is what you are in the dark.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
A man’s reaction to his appetites and impulses when they are roused gives the measure of that man’s character. In these reactions are revealed the man’s power to govern or his forced servility to yield.
—David O. McKay (1873–1970) American Mormon Religious Leader
Integrity has no need of rules.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
Human improvement is from within outward.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
Not a day passes over the earth but men and women of no note do great deeds, speak great words, and suffer noble sorrows. Of these obscure heroes, philosophers, and martyrs the greater part will never be known till that hour when many that were great shall be small, and the small great.
—Charles Reade
Some men succeed by what they know; some by what they do; and a few by what they are.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Character must stand behind and back up everything — the sermon, the poem, the picture, the play. None of them is worth a straw without it.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Novelist, Poet
Labor to keep alive that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
It’s amazing how many cares disappear when you
decide not to be something, but to be someone.
—Coco Chanel (1883–1971) French Fashion Designer
There is (a) spiritual strength derived from the subjecting of the physical appetite to the will of the individual. “He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than king”. If there were no other virtues in fasting but gaining strength of character, that alone would be sufficient justification for its universal acceptance.
—David O. McKay (1873–1970) American Mormon Religious Leader
Genius is an infinite capacity for taking life by the scruff of the neck.
—Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) American Actor, TV Personality
Before you are five and twenty you must establish a character that will serve you all your life.
—Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood (1750–1810) English Naval Commander
The righteous man is a pillar upon which all the world rests.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The way a man wins shows most of his character,
The way he loses shows all of it.
—Unknown
The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of this nation was built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.
—Eddie Rickenbacker (1890–1973) American Military Leader
Men best show their character in trifles, where they are not on their guard.—It is in insignificant matters, and in the simplest habits, that we often see the boundless egotism which pays no regard to the feelings of others, and denies nothing to itself.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Comic, Columnist, Radio Personality
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be; and if we observe, we shall find, that all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Anceient Greek Philosopher
Character, in great and little things, means carrying through what you feel able to do.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Many a man’s reputation would not know his character if they met on the street.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.
—Unknown
Some people regret that they have poor memories. Alas! It is much more difficult to forget.
—Dorothee Luzy Dotinville (1747–1830) French Dancer, Actress
The time is always right to do what’s right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
You have three names: the one you inherited, the one your parents gave you, and the one you make for yourself.
—Sanhedrin Supreme Council in Ancient Israel
Once you uncover the history of this pattern and trace its roots, you will see that your reaction in the present moment is really a reaction from the past, a shadow character’s attempt to protect you from reexperiencing an old emotional wound, which instead sabotages you in the present.
—Connie Zweig American Minister, Columnist, Psychotherapist
Character is the salesperson.
—George Madison Adams (1837–1920) American Politician, Military Leader
Life is a long lesson in humility.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist, Author
Character is what you know you are, not what others think you have.
—Marva Collins (b.1936) American Educator
Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
—Anthony Trollope (1815–82) English Novelist
Three names are given to a man: one by his parents, another by the world, and the third by his works — the one which is written in the immortal book of his fate. Which of these three names is the best? Solomon teaches us, when he says: “A good name is better than the sweetest oil”.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Nothing tells more about the character of a man than the things he makes fun of.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures, and that is character.
—Horace Greeley (1811–72) American Elected Rep, Politician, Reformer, Editor
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 Saraswati (1887–1963) Hindu Yogi, Spiritual Teacher
The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Anceient Greek Philosopher
Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Character is power; it makes friends, draws patronage and support and opens the way to wealth, honor and happiness.
—John Howe (b.1957) Canadian Artist
Good taste is better than bad taste, but bad taste is better than no taste.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist
A talent can be cultivated in tranquility; a character only in the rushing stream of life.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Character is the result of hundreds and hundreds of choices you make that gradually turn who you are, at any given moment, into who you want to be.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Perhaps a man’s character was like a tree, and his reputation like its shadow; the shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Calamity is the test of integrity.
—Samuel Richardson (1689–1761) English Novelist, Printer, Publisher
Honesty is the best policy.
—Common Proverb
The white light streams down to be broken up by those human prisms into all the colors of the rainbow. Take your own color in the pattern and be just that.
—Charles Reynolds Brown (1862–1950) American Clergyman
I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
A good character is the only guarantee of everlasting, carefree happiness.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Try not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of value. He is considered successful in our day who gets more out of life than he puts in. But a man of value will give more than he receives.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
A man may be outwardly successful all his life long, and die hollow and worthless as a puff-ball; and he may be externally defeated all his life long, and die in the royalty of a kingdom established within him. — A man’s true estate of power and riches, is to be in himself; not in his dwelling, or position, or external relations, but in his own essential character. — That is the realm, in which he is to live, if he is to live as a Christian man.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Protestant Clergyman, Social Reformer, Abolitionist
I admire men of character and I judge character not by how men deal with their superiors, but mostly how they deal with their subordinates. And that, to me, is where you find out what the character of a man is.
—H. Norman Schwarzkopf (b.1934) American Military Leader
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) Holocaust Victim
Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy soul-for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Dye it then, with a continuous series of such thoughts as these-that where a man can live, there if he will, he can also live well.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.
—Thomas Aquinas (1225–74) Italian Catholic Priest, Philosopher, Theologian
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with the important matters.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
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.
—Leon Trotsky (1879–1940) Russian Marxist Revolutionary
Reflect upon the defects of your character: thoroughly realize their evils and the transient pleasures they give you, and firmly will that you shall try your best not to yield to them the next time.
—Helena Blavatsky (1831–91) Ukrainian-born American Theosophist, Spiritual Leader, Philosopher, Mystic
What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
It’s true that charisma can make a person stand out for a moment, but character sets a person apart for a lifetime.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
Old age and sickness bring out the essential characteristics of a man.
—Felix Frankfurter (1882–1965) American Judge
We live in deeds, not years:
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.
—Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) English Poet
Thought creates character.
—Annie Besant (1847–1933) British-born Indian Theosophist, Civil Rights Advocate, Writer, Orator
Let us not say, every man is the architect of his own fortune; but let us say, every man is the architect of his own character.
—George Boardman (1801–31) American Baptist Minister
One must be something, in order to do something.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
It is always easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
We know but a few men, a great many coats and breeches.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) British Baptist Preacher, Theologian, Hymn writer
To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
—German Proverb
Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.
—James A. Michener (1907–97) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Historian
Character is built out of circumstances. — From exactly the same materials one man builds palaces, while another builds hovels.
—George Henry Lewes (1817–78) English Philosopher, Literary Critic, Art Critic
If one sticks too rigidly to one’s principles, one would hardly see anybody.
—Agatha Christie (1890–1976) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
The law of the harvest is to reap more than you sow. Sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny.
—George Boardman (1801–31) American Baptist Minister
Don’t worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.
—Laura Schlessinger (b.1947) American Radio Talk-Show Host, Author
There is no index of character so sure as the voice.
—Tancred
I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty. I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master. I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living. I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs. I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order. I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character-not wealth or power or position-is of supreme worth. I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free. I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will. I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.
—John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874–1960) American Philanthropist, Businessperson