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122 Inspirational Character Quotes (PERSONALITY)

In the kaleidoscope of life, it is our character that defines us. It’s the invisible yet palpable essence that shapes our actions, influences our relationships, and determines our path. Character is not just about who we are, but how we act, especially when no one is watching.

These quotes are more than just thought-provoking phrases; they are the reflections of great minds on the essence of the character and its pivotal role in our lives. They capture insights into integrity, courage, kindness, and the myriad facets that constitute our character.

Whether you’re a seeker of personal growth, an advocate of ethical living, or simply someone in pursuit of inspiration, these quotes will challenge your beliefs, spark self-reflection, and inspire you to build a character that leaves a lasting legacy.

Top 17 Most Inspiring Quotes for a Stronger Character

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. - Heraclitus of EphesusPin
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. – Heraclitus of Ephesus
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. - John WoodenPin
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. – John Wooden
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. - Martin Luther King Jr.Pin
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. - Helen KellerPin
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. – Helen Keller
What a man's mind can create, man's character should control. - Thomas EdisonPin
What a man’s mind can create, man’s character should control. – Thomas Edison

What we call our destiny is truly our character and that character can be altered. The knowledge that we are responsible for our actions and attitudes does not need to be discouraging, because it also means that we are free to change this destiny.”

Anais Nin
The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back. - Abigail van BurenPin
The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back. – Abigail van Buren
Never does a man portray his character more vividly than when proclaiming the character of another. - Winston ChurchillPin
Never does a man portray his character more vividly than when proclaiming the character of another. – Winston Churchill
Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted. - Alfred AdlerPin
Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted. – Alfred Adler
Better to be a man of character than a man of means. - Irish ProverbsPin
Better to be a man of character than a man of means. – Irish Proverbs
In the end, it is the person you become, not the things you achieve, that is most important. - Les BrownPin
In the end, it is the person you become, not the things you achieve, that is most important. – Les Brown
Character is one of the greatest motive powers in the world. In its noblest embodiments, it exemplifies human nature in its highest forms, for it exhibits man at his best. - Samuel SmilesPin
Character is one of the greatest motive powers in the world. In its noblest embodiments, it exemplifies human nature in its highest forms, for it exhibits man at his best. – Samuel Smiles
Pin
Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. – Dale Carnegie
Knowledge will give you power, but character earns respect. - Bruce LeePin
Knowledge will give you power, but character earns respect. – Bruce Lee
Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. - Martin Luther King Jr.Pin
Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past. - Jack LondonPin
Show me a man with a tattoo and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past. – Jack London
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. - German ProverbPin
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. – German Proverb

71 Motivational Character Quotes to Empower You

Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, most importantly, it is combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. It’s a state of mind – you could call it character in action.”

Vince Lombardi
It can be said that any one person's overall character and demeanor is but a reflection of the sum total of his or her thoughts. - Beau NortonPin
It can be said that any one person’s overall character and demeanor is but a reflection of the sum total of his or her thoughts. – Beau Norton
You are your most important critic and your conscience your most important judge of character. - Denis WaitleyPin
You are your most important critic and your conscience your most important judge of character. – Denis Waitley
Some are blessed with physical and mental facility, but none are more prized than the one who has developed true character. - Greg Henry QuinnPin
Some are blessed with physical and mental facility, but none are more prized than the one who has developed true character. – Greg Henry Quinn
Generosity of character is important. It builds confidence by reminding you that you are a decent human being, and that you deserve any good things which might come your way. - John FranzPin
Generosity of character is important. It builds confidence by reminding you that you are a decent human being, and that you deserve any good things which might come your way. – John Franz
Character is the moral strength to do the right thing even when it costs more than you want to pay. - Michael JosephsonPin
Character is the moral strength to do the right thing even when it costs more than you want to pay. – Michael Josephson
Primary greatness is on the inside. It's about character. - Stephen CoveyPin
Primary greatness is on the inside. It’s about character. – Stephen Covey
Your reputation is in the hands of others. That's what a reputation is. You can't control that. The only thing you can control is your character. - Wayne W. DyerPin
Your reputation is in the hands of others. That’s what a reputation is. You can’t control that. The only thing you can control is your character. – Wayne W. Dyer
Our characters are refined and tried by fire and when we have gone through the furnace, we emerge as pure gold and silver. - Edward DunedinPin
Our characters are refined and tried by fire and when we have gone through the furnace, we emerge as pure gold and silver. – Edward Dunedin
Power really is a test of character. In the hands of a person of integrity, it is of tremendous benefit; in the hands of a tyrant, it causes terrible destruction. - John C. MaxwellPin
Power really is a test of character. In the hands of a person of integrity, it is of tremendous benefit; in the hands of a tyrant, it causes terrible destruction. – John C. Maxwell
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. - Abraham LincolnPin
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. – Abraham Lincoln
Character is not cut in marble - it is not something solid and unalterable. It is something living and changing, and may become diseased as our bodies do. - George EliotPin
Character is not cut in marble – it is not something solid and unalterable. It is something living and changing, and may become diseased as our bodies do. – George Eliot
If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. - J.K. RowlingPin
If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. – J.K. Rowling
Your character is formed by the challenges you face and overcome. - Nick VujicicPin
Your character is formed by the challenges you face and overcome. – Nick Vujicic
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. - Abraham LincolnPin
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. – Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham LincolnPin
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. – Abraham Lincoln
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently. - Maya AngelouPin
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. – Maya Angelou
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. - Kahlil GibranPin
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. – Kahlil Gibran
Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. - August WilsonPin
Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. – August Wilson

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

Maya Angelou
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. - Albert EinsteinPin
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. – Albert Einstein
Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character. - Albert EinsteinPin
Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character. – Albert Einstein
You will know what kind of man he is not by the things he says, but by the things he does. - Cassandra ClarePin
You will know what kind of man he is not by the things he says, but by the things he does. – Cassandra Clare
You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one. - Henry David ThoreauPin
You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one. – Henry David Thoreau
Reputation is for time; character is for eternity. - J.B. GoughPin
Reputation is for time; character is for eternity. – J.B. Gough
Our character is but the stamp on our souls of the free choices of good and evil we have made through life. - John C. GeikiePin
Our character is but the stamp on our souls of the free choices of good and evil we have made through life. – John C. Geikie
The true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good. - Ann LandersPin
The true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good. – Ann Landers
Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open. - Elmer G. LettermanPin
Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open. – Elmer G. Letterman
Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness. - R.J. PalacioPin
Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness. – R.J. Palacio
A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents. - Georg Christoph LichtenbergPin
A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents. – Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out. - Thomas B. MacaulayPin
The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out. – Thomas B. Macaulay
Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is what God and the angels know of us. - Thomas PainePin
Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is what God and the angels know of us. – Thomas Paine
Character is much easier kept than recovered. - Thomas PainePin
Character is much easier kept than recovered. – Thomas Paine
It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not. - Andre GidePin
It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not. – Andre Gide
If you create an act, you create a habit. If you create a habit, you create a character. If you create a character, you create a destiny. - Andre MauroisPin
If you create an act, you create a habit. If you create a habit, you create a character. If you create a character, you create a destiny. – Andre Maurois
Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work. - Orison Swett MardenPin
Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work. – Orison Swett Marden
Ability can take you the top, but it takes character to keep you there. - Zig ZiglarPin
Ability can take you the top, but it takes character to keep you there. – Zig Ziglar
In the end you should always do the right thing even if it's hard. - Nicholas SparksPin
In the end you should always do the right thing even if it’s hard. – Nicholas Sparks
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice. - ConfuciusPin
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice. – Confucius
Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. - Harper LeePin
Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. – Harper Lee
Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. - Theodore RooseveltPin
Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. – Theodore Roosevelt
To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society. - Theodore RooseveltPin
To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society. – Theodore Roosevelt
Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on. - Criss JamiPin
Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on. – Criss Jami
Character — the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life — is the source from which self-respect springs. - Joan DidionPin
Character — the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life — is the source from which self-respect springs. – Joan Didion
I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. - Oscar WildePin
I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. – Oscar Wilde
It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare. - Mark TwainPin
It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare. – Mark Twain
Character is the sum total of all our everyday choices. - Margaret JensenPin
Character is the sum total of all our everyday choices. – Margaret Jensen
It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. - Frederick DouglassPin
It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. – Frederick Douglass
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character. - Ralph Waldo EmersonPin
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person. - Rita MeroPin
I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person. – Rita Mero
It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered. - AeschylusPin
It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered. – Aeschylus
It is not what he had, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is. - Henri Frederic AmielPin
It is not what he had, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids. - AristotlePin
Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids. – Aristotle
Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world. - Johann Wolfgang von GoethePin
Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him. - Wayne DyerPin
Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him. – Wayne Dyer
Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. - SenecaPin
Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. – Seneca
Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking. - H. Jackson BrownPin
Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking. – H. Jackson Brown
Character is simply habit long continued. - PlutarchPin
Character is simply habit long continued. – Plutarch
A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes. - Mahatma GandhiPin
A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes. – Mahatma Gandhi
The measure of a man is what he does with power. - PlatoPin
The measure of a man is what he does with power. – Plato
Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. you are what you repeatedly do. - Shaquille O'NealPin
Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. you are what you repeatedly do. – Shaquille O’Neal
A man's true character comes out when he's drunk. - Charlie ChaplinPin
A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk. – Charlie Chaplin
You can judge a man's true character by the way he treats his fellow animals. - Paul McCartneyPin
You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his fellow animals. – Paul McCartney
All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride. - Sophocles, AntigonePin
All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride. – Sophocles, Antigone
All cruelty springs from weakness. - SenecaPin
All cruelty springs from weakness. – Seneca
When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character. W. Somerset MaughamPin
When you choose your friends, don’t be short-changed by choosing personality over character. W. Somerset Maugham
Character is doing what you don't want to do but know you should do. - Joyce MeyerPin
Character is doing what you don’t want to do but know you should do. – Joyce Meyer
Be an independent thinker at all times, and ignore anyone who attempts to define you in a limiting way. - Sherry ArgovPin
Be an independent thinker at all times, and ignore anyone who attempts to define you in a limiting way. – Sherry Argov
We cannot live better than in seeking to become better. - SocratesPin
We cannot live better than in seeking to become better. – Socrates
People that seem so glorious are all show. Underneath they’re like anybody else. - EuripidesPin
People that seem so glorious are all show. Underneath they’re like anybody else. – Euripides
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If you want to know what a person’s character, take notice of how he acts when he loses money – Proverb

35 Inspirational Character Quotes to Build a Stronger Inner You

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath. - SolonPin
Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath. – Solon
Parents can only give [their children] good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands. - Anne FrankPin
Parents can only give [their children] 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

The habits of feeling, action and judgment that comprise good character depend on personal self-discipline and powerful aspiration to become a good person, all of which must be drawn from within.”

Edwin Delattre
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character. - Henry ClayPin
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character. – Henry Clay
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy. - General H. Norman SchwarzkopfPin
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy. – General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character. - Horace GreeleyPin
Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character. – Horace Greeley
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. - Oprah WinfreyPin
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. – Oprah Winfrey
If someone lacks character, “Be yourself!” is the worst advice you can give. - Jeremiah SayPin
If someone lacks character, “Be yourself!” is the worst advice you can give. – Jeremiah Say
It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character. - Arthur SchopenhauerPin
It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character. – Arthur Schopenhauer

The within is ceaselessly becoming the without. From the state of a man’s heart doth proceed the conditions of his life; his thoughts blossom into deeds, and his deeds bear the fruitage of character and destiny.”

James Allen
In great matters men show themselves as they wish to be seen; in small matters as they are. - Gamaliel BradfordPin
In great matters men show themselves as they wish to be seen; in small matters as they are. – Gamaliel Bradford
Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone. - Cyrus BartolPin
Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone. – Cyrus Bartol
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do. - Andrew CarnegiePin
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do. – Andrew Carnegie
Character builds slowly, but it can be torn down with incredible swiftness. - Faith BaldwinPin
Character builds slowly, but it can be torn down with incredible swiftness. – Faith Baldwin
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when flowers have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. - Charles H. SpurgeonPin
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when flowers have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. – Charles H. Spurgeon
How important is the heart! It is there that character is formed. It alone holds the secrets of true success. Its treasures are priceless — but they can be stolen. - Charles SwindollPin
How important is the heart! It is there that character is formed. It alone holds the secrets of true success. Its treasures are priceless — but they can be stolen. – Charles Swindoll
Fortune does not change anyone; it only unmasks them. - Henry O. DormannPin
Fortune does not change anyone; it only unmasks them. – Henry O. Dormann
It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. - Roy DisneyPin
It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. – Roy Disney
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. - Eleanor RooseveltPin
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. – Eleanor Roosevelt
Wherever man goes to dwell, his character goes with him. - African ProverbPin
Wherever man goes to dwell, his character goes with him. – African Proverb
We do not need more intellectual power, we need more spiritual power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. - Calvin CoolidgePin
We do not need more intellectual power, we need more spiritual power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. – Calvin Coolidge
Your religion is what you do when the sermon is over. - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Pin
Your religion is what you do when the sermon is over. – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
If you will think about what you ought to do for other people, your character will take care of itself. - Woodrow WilsonPin
If you will think about what you ought to do for other people, your character will take care of itself. – Woodrow Wilson
One can acquire everything in solitude except character. - Henri StendhalPin
One can acquire everything in solitude except character. – Henri Stendhal
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. - Will RogerPin
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. – Will Roger
Tell me thy company, and I’ll tell thee what thou art. - Cervantes, Don QuixotePin
Tell me thy company, and I’ll tell thee what thou art. – Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote
The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is. - George Bernard ShawPin
The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is. – George Bernard Shaw
My honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me, and my life is done. - William ShakespearePin
My honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me, and my life is done. – William Shakespeare
Character isn’t something you were born with and can’t change, like your fingerprints. It’s something you weren’t born with and must take responsibility for forming. - Jim RohnPin
Character isn’t something you were born with and can’t change, like your fingerprints. It’s something you weren’t born with and must take responsibility for forming. – Jim Rohn
A man is about as big as the things that make him angry. - Winston ChurchillPin
A man is about as big as the things that make him angry. – Winston Churchill
How can they expect a harvest of thought who have not had the seed time of character. - Henry David ThoreauPin
How can they expect a harvest of thought who have not had the seed time of character. – Henry David Thoreau
If you pay too much attention to your reputation, you could lose your character. - Michael JosephsonPin
If you pay too much attention to your reputation, you could lose your character. – Michael Josephson
A good name is rather to be chosen than riches. - King Solomon, Proverbs 22:1Pin
A good name is rather to be chosen than riches. – King Solomon, Proverbs 22:1
We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us. - John LockePin
We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us. – John Locke
Character is determined more by the lack of certain experiences than by those one has had. - Friedrich NietzschePin
Character is determined more by the lack of certain experiences than by those one has had. – Friedrich Nietzsche
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Conclusion

People usually judge others by their appearances and reputations. However, those qualities are not strong foundations. They cannot stand the test of time.

The only thing that holds a person together for the long haul is his/her character. If one has a weak character, one is powerless regardless of how ‘capable’ he/she may seem on the surface.

All truly great leaders are judged not by their external abilities but by their inward capabilities aka their characters. Here are a few ways you can better determine a man’s character:

  • Watch his actions rather than his words. It is true that actions speak louder than words.
  • Give the man a little power (and control) and see how he responds.
  • Put a man in a tough situation and see how he reacts to trials.

No man is perfect but all men can be great by having strong characters.

Further reading:

Here are the best character quotes so you can act responsibly, cultivate a positive attitude, and have more self-confidence.

(MUST READ)

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Inspirational Character Quotes (PERSONALITY) - Gracious QuotesPin
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