Character Quotes
A good novel is an indivisible sum; every scene, sequence and passage of a good novel has to involve, contribute to and advance all three of its major attributes: theme, plot, characterization.Ayn Rand, The Romantic Manifesto p. 74 (pb 93)
The first glance at History convinces us that the actions of men proceed from their needs, their passions, their characters and talents and impresses us with the belief that such needs, passions and interests are the sole spring of actions.Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker.Plutarch
Nature is at work.. Character and destiny are her handiwork. She gives us love and hate, jealousy and reverence. All that is ours is the power to choose which impulse we shall follow.David Seabury
Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.John Wooden
You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.Aristophanes, Knights, 424 B. C.
Whoever feels pain in hearing a good character of his neighbor, will feel a pleasure in the reverse. And those who despair to rise in distinction by their virtues, are happy if others can be depressed to a level of themselves.Benjamin Franklin
The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.Robert J. Shiller, Irrational Exuberance
Johnson himself turned out to be so many different characters he could have populated all of War and Peace and still had a few people left over.Herbert Mitgang
The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done.Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
It is easy to be nice, even to an enemy - From lack of character.Dag Hammarskjld
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.Confucius
Men show their character in nothing more clearly than by what they find laughable.Anon.
I used to be a lawyer, but now I am a reformed character.Woodrow Wilson
Character is the foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect. Just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character.R. C. Samsel
Dreams are the touchstones of our character.Henry David Thoreau
I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.George Washington
Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and griefs which we endure help us in our marching onward.Henry Ford
Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.Tyron Edwards
Commitment in the face of conflict produces character.Unknown
In attempts to improve your character, know what is in your power and what is beyond it.Francis Thompson
Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted.Author Unknown
A man has no more character than he can command in a time of crisis.Anonymous
Among the virtues and vices that make up the British character, we have one vice, at least, that Americans ought to view with sympathy. For they appear to be the only people who share it with us. I mean our worship of the antique. I do not refer to beauty or even historical association. I refer to age, to a quantity of years.William Golding
Character is higher than intellect... A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think.Ralph Waldo Emerson
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.Saskya Pandita
There is no leveler like Christianity, but it levels by lifting all who receive it to the lofty table - Land of a true character and of undying hope both for this world and the next.Johathan Edwards
Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as by the latter.Paxton Hood
People with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest.Hermann Hesse
If we take the route of the permanent handout, the American character will itself be impoverished. Proposal to reform welfare programs.Richard Milhous Nixon
Knowledge is essential to conquest only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment.Anne Besant
Philanthropic people lose all sense of Humanity, it is their distinguishing characteristic.Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey
Solitude, in the sense of being often alone, is essential to any depth of meditation or of character and solitude in the presence of natural beauty and grandeur, is the cradle of thought and aspirations which are not only good for the individual, but which society could ill do without.John Stuart Mill
It is the characteristic excellence of the strong man that he can bring momentous issues to the fore and make a decision about them. The weak are always forced to decide between alternatives they have not chosen themselves.Dietrich Bonhoeffe
It is possible that the scrupulously honest man may not grow rich so fast as the unscrupulous and dishonest one but the success will be of a truer kind, earned without fraud or injustice. And even though a man should for a time be unsuccessful, still he must be honest better lose all and save character. For character is itself a fortune...Samuel Smiles
We are a kind of Chameleons, taking our hue - The hue of our moral character, from those who are about us.John Locke
