A good character is something you must make for yourself. It cannot be inherited from parents. It cannot be created by having extraordinary advantages. It isn't a gift of birth, wealth, talent or station. It is the result of your own endeavor. It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life.
Interpretation
Good character is developed through personal effort and is not a result of external factors.
This quote emphasizes that character is not something one is born with or receives from their family, wealth, or talents; instead, it is a trait that individuals must cultivate through their actions and choices. It highlights the importance of living according to good principles and striving for a virtuous life as the fundamental ways to build a commendable character.
In practice
In a graduation speech, to emphasize the importance of personal development.
Today, I would like you to pause, ponder, and think of the value of an immortal soul, especially the ones entrusted to you as parents. Where are your priorities? Have you committed yourself to give the sufficient time necessary to train your children?
Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home.
Truth is the ultimate power. When the truth comes around, all the lies have to run and hide.
Men of genius are often dull and inert in society; as the blazing meteor, when it descends to earth, is only a stone.
It is often very illuminating...to ask yourself how you got at the facts on which you base your opinion. Who actually saw, heard, felt, counted, named the thing, about which you have an opinion?
I think one of life's great milestones is when a person can look back and be almost as thankful for the setbacks as for the victories.
Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you
My psychoanalysis has equipped you with the equivalent of a train ticket to recovery. It is now your decision whether or not you choose to make full use of it.
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