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 Ephesus — 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 Wooden — 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. — 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 Keller — 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 Edison — 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 Buren — 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 Churchill — 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 Adler — 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 Proverbs — 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 Brown — 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 Smiles — 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

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 Lee — **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. — 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 London — 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 Proverb — 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 Norton — 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 Waitley — 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 Quinn — 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 Franz — **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 Josephson — 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 Covey — 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. Dyer — 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 Dunedin — 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. Maxwell — 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 Lincoln — 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 Eliot — 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. Rowling — 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 Vujicic — 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 Lincoln — 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 Lincoln — 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 Angelou — **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 Gibran — 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 Wilson — 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 Einstein — 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 Einstein — 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 Clare — 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 Thoreau — 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. Gough — 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. Geikie — 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 Landers — 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. Letterman — 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. Palacio — **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 Lichtenberg — 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. Macaulay — 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 Paine — 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 Paine — 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 Gide — 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 Maurois — 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 Marden — 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 Ziglar — 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 Sparks — 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. - Confucius — 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 Lee — 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 Roosevelt — 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 Roosevelt — 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 Jami — 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 Didion — 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 Wilde — 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 Twain — 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 Jensen — 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 Douglass — 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 Emerson — 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 Mero — 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. - Aeschylus — 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 Amiel — 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. - Aristotle — 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 Goethe — **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 Dyer — Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him. – **Wayne Dyer**

Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. - Seneca — 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 Brown — Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking. – **H. Jackson Brown**

Character is simply habit long continued. - Plutarch — Character is simply habit long continued. – **Plutarch**

A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes. - Mahatma Gandhi — 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. - Plato — 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'Neal — 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 Chaplin — 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 McCartney — 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, Antigone — 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. - Seneca — All cruelty springs from weakness. – **Seneca**

When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character. W. Somerset Maugham — 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 Meyer — 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 Argov — 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. - Socrates — 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. - Euripides — People that seem so glorious are all show. Underneath they’re like anybody else. – **Euripides**

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. - Solon — 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 Frank — 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 Clay — 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 Schwarzkopf — 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 Greeley — 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 Winfrey — 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 Say — 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 Schopenhauer — 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 Bradford — 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 Bartol — 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 Carnegie — 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 Baldwin — 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. Spurgeon — 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 Swindoll — 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. Dormann — 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 Disney — 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 Roosevelt — 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 Proverb — 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 Coolidge — 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. — 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 Wilson — 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 Stendhal — 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 Roger — 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 Quixote — 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 Shaw — 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 Shakespeare — 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 Rohn — 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 Churchill — 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 Thoreau — 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 Josephson — 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 22:1 — 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 Locke — 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 Nietzsche — Character is determined more by the lack of certain experiences than by those one has had. – **Friedrich Nietzsche**

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:

7 Steps to Improve Your Character Habit – Skip Prichard
7 Traits of a Strong Personality That Any Person Can Develop – Bright Side
Why is character development important for students? – The News Time
The Importance of Character Development – Thanet Writers

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

(MUST READ)

Also read:

Top 17 Most Inspiring Quotes for a Stronger Character

71 Motivational Character Quotes to Empower You

35 Inspirational Character Quotes to Build a Stronger Inner You

Conclusion

75 Inspirational Wise Quotes (WORDS OF WISDOM)

71 Wisest & Most Inspiring Investment Quotes (SUCCESS)