What is character? It is that quality of man which is going to make a man, in an hour of strain, do the just and, if possible, the generous thing.
Douglas Southall FreemanRead
Character is the essence of all that a man has seen in life and regards as high and exalted. Character is like truth: the substance of the things that a man has forgotten but the substance of the things that are worth remembering in life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Character encompasses a person's highest values and memories, shaping their essence.
This quote emphasizes the fundamental role of character in a person's life. It suggests that character is built from experiences and values that one holds dear, often reflecting on those aspects that, though sometimes forgotten, are truly significant and worthy of remembrance as they define who we are in essence.
Themes
CharacterEssenceValuesLifeTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about ethical leadership, one might reference this quote to illustrate the importance of character.
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