Christian Nestell Bovee Character Quotations

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Give me the character and I will forecast the event.

The language denotes the man. A coarse or refined character finds its expression naturally in a coarse or refined phraseology.

Dignity of position adds to dignity of character, as well as to dignity of carriage. Give us a proud position, and we are impelled to act up to it.

It is of very little use in trying to be dignified, if dignity is no part of your character.

No single character is ever so great that a nation can afford to form itself upon it. Imitation belittles. This appears in the instance of the Chinese. The Chinese are so many Confucii; in miniature. And so with the Jews. Moses, the lawgiver, is poorly represented by Moses, the old clothesman ; or even by Dives, the hanker.

The scope of an intellect is not to be measured with a tape-string, or a character deciphered from the shape or length of a nose.

Out of politics comes more uproar than progress. It is indeed surprising how little, comparatively, this noisy department of human affairs contributes to the world's prosperity. Political commotions upon the grandest scale, political events of astounding suddenness, political characters of the greatest ability, abound, but still, permanent results are rare, and we look in vain for a measure of public good corresponding in extent to the hideous rout which ushers it in. Progress but turns upon its pillow, and goes to sleep again.

It is only an error in judgment to make a mistake, but it shows infirmity of character to adhere to it when discovered

All men are alike in their lower natures; it is in their higher characters that they differ.

Something of a person's character may be observed by how they smile. Some never smile they only grin.

It is difficult to say which is the greatest evil--to have too violent passions, or to be wholly devoid of them. Controlled with firmness, guided by discretion, and hallowed by the imagination, the passions are the vivifiers and quickeners of our being. Without passion there can be no energy of character. Indeed, the passions are like fire, useful in a thousand ways, and dangerous only in one--through their excess.

There are some weaknesses that are peculiar and distinctive to generous characters, as freckles are to a fair skin.

Six traits of effective leaders: 1. Make others feel important 2. Promote a vision 3. Follow the golden rule 4. Admit mistakes 5. Criticize others only in private 6. Stay close to the action Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Character is very much a matter of health.