Two Elements of Character—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 the power of the feelings that he subdues, not by the power of the feelings that subdue him. The strongest man is he who, while sensitive to abuse, will yet restrain passion and forgive his enemies. Such men are true heroes.—Testimonies for the Church 4:656 (1881). {2MCP 689.1}

To ting i karakteren — Karakterstyrke består af to ting: viljekraft og evne til selvbeherskelse. Mange unge forveksler en stærk, ubehersket lidenskab med karakterstyrke; men sandheden er, at den, der beherskes af sine lidenskaber, er et svagt menneske. Mandens sande storhed og adel måles ved styrken af de følelser, han betvinger, ikke ved styrken af de følelser, der betvinger ham. Den stærkeste mand er den, som, skønt han er følsom over for krænkelser, dog holder lidenskaben i tøjler og tilgiver sine fjender. Sådanne mænd er virkelige helte. —Vidnesbyrd for menigheden 4:656 (1881).