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Character: Quotations from Burning Words

When the captain throws out his sheet-anchor, and the ship "rides at anchor," as it is called, there is a great strain on every link of that chain; and if one bad link breaks, off goes the anchor, and the ship is driven before the winds, and may be destroyed. Now, our character is very much like the chain; one bad piece vitiates and spoils it. So we must have a pure character.— JOHN HALL

Modern engineers, after having erected a viaduct, insist upon subjecting it to a severe strain by a formal trial trip, before allowing it to be opened for public traffic; and it would almost seem that God, in employing moral agents for the carrying out of His purposes, secures that they shall be tested by some dreadful ordeal, before He fully commits to them the work which He wishes them to perform.— Wm. M. TAYLOR

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forgetme-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.— C. H. SPURGEON

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

Whatever capacities there may be for enjoyment or for suffering in this strange being of ours, and God only knows what they are, they will be drawn out wholly in accordance with character.— MARK HOPKINS

Men and brethren, a simple trust in God is the most essential ingredient in moral sublimity of character.— RICHARD FULLER

Man can have strength of character only as he is capable of controlling his faculties; of choosing a rational end; and, in its pursuit, of holding fast to his integrity against all the might of external nature.— MARK HOPKINS

The materials of the first temple were made ready in solitude. Those of the last also must be shaped in retirement; in the silence of the heart; in the quietness of home; in the practice of unostentatious duty.— HENRY GILES

There never has been a great and beautiful character, which has not become so by filling well the ordinary and smaller offices appointed of God.— HORACE BUSHNELL

Character is made up of small duties faithfully performed of self-denials, of self-sacrifices, of kindly acts of love and duty. I have learned by experience that no man's character can be eventually injured but by his own acts.— ROWLAND HILL

A man is what he is, not what men say he is. His character no man can touch. His character is what he is before his God and his Judge; and only himself can damage that. His reputation is what men say he is. That can be damaged; but reputation is for time, character is for eternity.— JOHN B. GOUGH

Our character is but the stamp on our souls of the free choice of good or evil we have made through life.— J. C. GEIKIE

Character is the product of daily, hourly actions, and words, and thoughts; daily forgivenesses, unselfishness, kindnesses, sympathies, charities, sacrifices for the good of others, struggles against temptation, submissiveness under trial. Oh, it is these, like the blending colors in a picture, or the blending notes of music, which constitute the man.— J. R. MACDUFF

A man's character is like a fence - it cannot be strengthened by whitewash.