Famously Said Random quote

Quotes about character

276 quotes from 175 people

Most readBy personPage 16 of 19

His nature is too noble for the world.
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident
Or Jove for’s power to thunder.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Coriolanus (c. 1608), Act III, Scene I, spoken by MeneniusIn context
I’ll never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand
As if a man were author of himself,
And knew no other kin.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Coriolanus (c. 1608), Act V, Scene III, spoken by CoriolanusIn context
I learned I had to stand for something so I could stand to be me.
Martin Sheenborn 1940Progressive magazine interview (2003)
The true measurement of a person’s worth isn’t what they say they believe in, but what they do in defense of those beliefs. If you’re not acting on your beliefs, then they probably aren’t real.
Edward Snowdenborn 1983As quoted in Glenn Greenwald, No Place to Hide (Penguin, 2015 ed.), p. 45
It would be better for me… that multitudes of men should disagree with me rather than that I, being one, should be out of harmony with myself.
Socrates470–399 BCGorgias, 482c
For kindness begets kindness evermore,
But he from whose mind fades the memory
Of benefits, noble is he no more.
Sophocles496–406 BCAjax, Line 522–524 (tr. R. C. Trevelyan, 1919)
- Charity
Education has for its object the formation of character.
Herbert Spencer1820–1903Social Statics (1851), Pt. II, Ch. 17: The Rights of Children
- Education
One can acquire everything in solitude — except character.
Stendhal1783–1842De L’Amour (On Love) (1822), Fragments
I have said what I meant and meant what I said. I have not done as well as I should like to have done, but I have done my best, frankly and forthrightly; no man can do more, and you are entitled to no less.
Adlai Stevenson II1900–1965Speech, (3 November 1952) as quoted in “The Graceful Loser” in Time (23 July 1965)
The dedication of a lifetime — these are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.
Adlai Stevenson II1900–1965Speech to the American Legion convention, New York City (27 August 1952); as quoted in “Democratic Candidate Adlai Stevenson Defines the Nature of Patriotism” in Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches In History (2004) by William Safire, p. 79—80
In matters of national security emotion is no substitute for intelligence, nor rigidity for prudence. To act coolly, intelligently and prudently in perilous circumstances is the test of a man — and also a nation.
Adlai Stevenson II1900–1965Radio address (11 April 1955); as quoted in The World’s Great Speeches (1999) edited by Lewis Copeland, Lawrence W. Lamm, and Stephen J. McKenna
- Wisdom
To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.
Robert Louis Stevenson1850–1894An Inland Voyage (1878), Ch. III, “The Royal Sport Nautique”.
Man is not truly one, but truly two.
Robert Louis Stevenson1850–1894Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886), Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the CaseIn context
- Good & Evil
To have ego means to believe in your own strength. And to also be open to other people’s views. It is to be open, not closed.
Barbra Streisandborn 1942Playboy interview (1977), as quoted in No Glass Slipper: Surviving and Conquering Painful Life Experiences (2006), p. 32
- Pride
A nice man is a man of nasty ideas.
Jonathan Swift1667–1745Thoughts on Various Subjects from Miscellanies (1711-1726)