Character Matters

What do you think about brilliant quotes from people you don't admire?

Is character important when you're quoting a source? I'm not suggesting that people need to be perfect -- but should we at least agree with their overall values before we treat their words as lofty, important sources of wisdom?

Would you quote someone you don't admire who just said something brilliant?

I'm curious.

Here's how I look at it: our character filters everything.

Whether we like it or not, what we say is made credible (or not) by what we do. Even more than that, who we are is a function of what we do. Our character is not only reflected in our actions, it is formed by our actions.

Great opinions, lofty words, noble intentions are all wonderful and also only important if they are brought to life in our actions.

I know that is a tough standard. I know that I often fall short. It's just something to think about today as we feel proud of our intentions. What will we do about them?

-- Douglas Brent Smith

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