Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece - by thought, choice, courage, and determination.
Interpretation
Good character is earned through effort, while talent is often innate.
This quote emphasizes the importance of character over innate talent, suggesting that while talent may be a natural gift, good character is developed through deliberate actions and choices. It highlights that virtues such as thoughtfulness, courage, and determination are essential in building oneβs character, and that this process is a conscious effort requiring commitment and perseverance.
In practice
Use this quote in a motivational speech about personal development.
Instruction for life: Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. Follow the three R's: - Respect for self. - Respect for others. - Responsibility for all your actions. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Believe in miracles but don't depend on them. When you hear kind word spoken about a friend, tell him so. Spoil your spouse, not your children. Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language. To help your children turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.
Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.
Never forget the nine most important words of any family- I love you. You are beautiful. Please forgive me.
I've learned that education, experience, and memories are three things that no one can take away from you.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
People striving, being knocked down and coming back... this is what builds character in a man.
I'm more comfortable writing traditional protagonists. But 'Steve Jobs' and 'The Social Network' have antiheroes. I like to write antiheroes as if they're making their case to God about why they should be allowed into heaven. I have to find something in that character that is like me and write to that.
When an actor comes to me and wants to discuss his character, I say, 'It's in the script.' If he says, 'But what's my motivation?, ' I say, 'Your salary.'
This year, I will be more thoughtful of my fellow man; exert more effort in each of my endeavors professionally as well as personally; take love wherever I find it, and offer it to everyone who will take it.
I grew up when one of America's greatest black playwrights, August Wilson, was writing about life in Pittsburgh, but I never saw myself in any of his straight-male plays. And then I see 'Angels,' which was so honest and painful, and it had this black drag queen in it, Belize, with a big heart. I finally had a character to relate to.
The day when a sportsman stops thinking above all else of the happiness in his own effort and the intoxication of the power and physical balance he derives from it, the day when he lets considerations of vanity or interest take over, on this day his ideal will die.
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