Quotes about Character

Plainness has its peculiar temptations quite as much as beauty.

There is only one failure in life possible, and that is not to be true to the best one knows.

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.

Nice people with common sense do not make interesting characters. They only make good former spouses.

As well as walking erect and disguising his tiredness, he also tried to avoid other symptoms of old age: meanness, mistrust, ill temper, resentment, and bad habits such as no longer shaving every day, repeating the same stories over and over, talking about himself, his ailments, or money.

there was only one aristocracy, that of decency, and that this was not inherited or bought with money or titles, but was only gained through good deeds.

The only measure of what you believe is what you do. If you want to know what people believe, don't read what they write, don't ask them what they believe, just observe what they do.

The fiery trials through which we pass will light us down in honour or dishonour to the latest generation.

Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.

To enjoy the things we ought, and to hate the things we ought, has the greatest bearing on excellence of character.

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.

Character is like a tree, and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.