Michael Josephson Quotes

Don’t let others define you. Don’t let the past confine you. Take charge of your life with confidence and determination, and there are no limits on what you can do or be.

Expressed gratitude encourages further giving; ingratitude drains vitality out of the spirit of generosity.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by who and for what?

Good character is more important than wealth, good looks, popularity and even education. These things do not guarantee happiness and often they become obstacles to developing good character.

Character is ethical and moral strength. People of good character have the moral awareness and strength to know the good, love the good and do the good.

Necessity is not merely the father of invention; it is the father of courage.

Character refers to dispositions and habits that determine the way that person normally responds to desires, fears, challenges, opportunities, failures and successes.

Good intentions are simply not enough. Our character is defined and our lives are determined not by what we want, say or think, but by what we do.

There is no adversity that cannot be overcome by good character.

Never do anything for another with the expectation of gratitude. The expectation itself turns the gift into an exchange and suggests a debt is owed you.

No one is born with good character; it’s not a hereditary trait. And it isn’t determined by a single noble act. Character is established by conscientious adherence to moral values, not by lofty rhetoric or good intentions.

The kind of courage that is strengthened or created by concern about what others will think is really a form of fear. Fear of disapproval or dishonor becoming stronger than fear of injury or even death.