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Character a Quality of the Soul, August 3
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of
wisdom is above rubies.
Job 28:18
.
A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure
that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the
instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with
them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to
improve....
Mental ability and genius are not character, for these are often possessed
by those who have the very opposite of a good character. Reputation is
not character. True character is a quality of the soul, revealing itself in the
conduct.
A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver. It is
unaffected by panics or failures, and in that day when earthly possessions
shall be swept away, it will bring rich returns. Integrity, firmness, and
perseverance are qualities that all should seek earnestly to cultivate; for
they clothe the possessor with a power which is irresistible—a power which
makes him strong to do good, strong to resist evil, strong to bear adversity.
Strength of character consists of two things—power of will and power of
self-control. Many youth mistake strong, uncontrolled passion for strength
of character; but the truth is that he who is mastered by his passions is a
weak man. The real greatness and nobility of the man is measured by his
powers to subdue his feelings, not by the power of his feelings to subdue
him. The strongest man is he who, while sensitive to abuse, will yet restrain
passion and forgive his enemies.
If it were considered as important that the young possess a beautiful
character and amiable disposition as it is that they imitate the fashions of the
world in dress and deportment, we would see hundreds where there is one
today coming upon the stage of active life prepared to exert an ennobling
influence upon society.
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