“Many of us draw lines which we intend never to cross.
But life tests our resolve, mercilessly at times, and a foot budges, nudged past that thinly-drawn line. So we draw another, resolving never to cross this one. Days grow dark and fog creeps in to blind our view, clouding the reason for the line’s existence from our minds. We draw another mark, ashamed that the last was crossed with less coaxing than we imagined it would require. Shadows and doubts give further need to draw a new line, and then another and another.
Lines, I think, are too slim and obscure to be dependable deterrents for behavior. Too often, too easily, people stumble into places they later regret entering. What, then, keeps some individuals from crossing those narrow lines?
It is the power of values.
For if a person possessing values were to step one foot outside their line, they would be forced to release hands with those inflexible values and consciously abandon them. But their values are persuasive, keeping a tight grip, warding off the luring temptations beckoning one to test the line. Thus values maintained keep a person safely away from areas they dare not travel, steering a life between the lines, enhancing willpower and shaping mighty strength of character.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“In chess, without the king, the other pieces would all be "dead", so their existance is supported by the king, but they need to serve the king with their capacity for action in order to have a good game.”
“If you have assumed any character beyond your strength, you have both demeaned yourself ill in that and quitted one which you might have supported.”
Source: Enchiridion
“It takes a man of unusual character to openly confront his own shortcomings. It’s so much more convenient to blame others.”
Source: King of Foxes
“To you character is a psychosis. Integrity is a complex.”
Source: A Confederacy of Dunces
“Life is not about having perfect days. Life is not about handling days perfectly. Life is about perfecting one’s character through the having and handling of every given day.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“And don’t forget, if you are very intelligent but load yourself with bad characters, nobody will follow you.”
Source: Leaders' Frontpage: Leadership Insights from 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Thoughts
“It’s easy to be kind to friends who return your smiles and happily lend a helping hand. But the true test of good character is finding the will and desire to be kind and charitable to those who give us absolutely no motivation to do so.”
Source: Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year
“When the leader goes wayward, the organization goes wayward.”
Source: Leaders' Frontpage: Leadership Insights from 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Thoughts
“Il est très vaniteux ou très peu sûr de lui, comme vous voulez.”
Source: Bonjour tristesse