25 Foundational Quotes About Good Character

Post written by some of the World’s Great Minds.

The noblest contribution which any man can make for the benefit of posterity, is that of a good character. The richest bequest which any man can leave to the youth of his native land, is that of a shining, spotless example. – R. C. Winthrop

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. – G. D. Boardman

Give us a character on which we can thoroughly depend, which we know to be based on principle and on the fear of God, and it is wonderful how many brilliant and popular and splendid qualities we can safely and gladly dispense with. – A.P.Stanley

Talents are best nurtured in solitude; character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world. – Goethe

There is not a man or woman, however poor they may be, but have it in their power, by the grace of God, to leave behind them the grandest thing on earth, character: and their children might rise up after them and thank God that their mother was a pious woman, or their father a pious man. – N. Macleod

Only what we have wrought into our character during life can we take away with us. – Humboldt

It is not what a man gets, but what a man is, that he should think of. He should think first of his character, and then of his condition: for if he have the former, he need have no fears about the latter. Character will draw condition after it. Circumstances obey principles. – H.W. Beecher

He who acts wickedly in private life, can never be expected to show himself noble in public conduct. He that is base at home, will not acquit himself with honor abroad ; for it is not the man, but only the place that is changed. – AEschines

Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone. – Bartol

Character and personal force are the only investments that are worth anything. – Whitman

Actions, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell characters: some are mere letters, some contain entire words, lines, pages, which at once decipher the life of a man. One such genuine uninterrupted page may be your key to all the rest; but first be certain that he wrote it all alone, and without thinking of publisher or reader. – Lavater

A man’s character is the reality of himself. His reputation is the opinion others have formed of him. Character is in him; reputation is from other people – that is the substance, this is the shadow. – H.W. Beecher

The best characters are made by vigorous and persistent resistance to evil tendencies; whose amiability has been built upon the ruins of ill-temper, and whose generosity springs from an over-mastered and transformed selfishness. Such a character, built up in the presence of enemies, has far more attraction than one which is natively pleasing. – Dexter

A good character is, in all cases, the fruit of personal exertion. It is not inherited from parents; it is not created by external advantages; it is no necessary appendage of birth, wealth, talents, or station; but it is the result of one’s own endeavours- the fruit and reward of good principles manifested in a course of virtuous and honourable action. – J. Hawes

As the sun is best seen at his rising and setting, so men’s native dispositions are clearest seen when they are children, and when they are dying. – Boyle

As there is much beast and some devil in man, so is there some angel and some God in him. The beast and the devil may be conquered, but in this life never destroyed. – Coleridge

Every man, as to character, is the creature of the age in which he lives. Very few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of their times. – Voltaire

The great hope of society is in individual character. – Channing

The character is like white paper; if once blotted, it can hardly ever be made to appear white as before. One wrong step often stains the character for life. It is much easier to form a good character and preserve it pure, than to purify it after it has become defiled. – J. Mason

Our character is but the stamp on our souls of the free choices of good and evil we have made through life. – Geike.

A man is what he is, not what men say he is. His character is what he is before God. That no man can touch; only he himself can damage it. His reputation is what men say he is. That may be damaged. Reputation is for time; character is for eternity. – J.B. Gough

Truthfulness is a corner-stone in character, and if it be not firmly laid in youth, there will ever after be a weak spot in the foundation. – J. Davis

Character is like stock in trade; the more of it a man possesses, the greater his facilities for making additions to it. Character is power – is influence; it makes friends; creates funds; draws patronage and support; and opens a sure and easy way to wealth, honor, and happiness. – J. Hawes

A tree will not only lie as it falls, but it will fall as it leans. And the great question every one should bring home to himself is this: ‘What is the inclination of my soul? Does it, with all its affections lean toward God or away from him?’ – J.J. Gurney

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. – Solomon

quote source: Dictionary Of Thoughts

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