Native Character Set

Famous quotes containing the words native, character and/or set:

    A native health and innocence
    Within my bones did grow,
    And while my God did all his glories show,
    I felt a vigour in my sense
    That was all spirit: I within did flow
    With seas of life like wine;
    I nothing in the world did know
    But ‘twas divine.
    Thomas Traherne (1636–1674)

    There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless. Observe the ass, for instance: his character is about perfect, he is the choicest spirit among all the humbler animals, yet see what ridicule has brought him to. Instead of feeling complimented when we are called an ass, we are left in doubt.
    Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)

    It is a great pity—but ‘tis certain from every day’s observation of man, that he may be set on fire like a candle, at either end—provided there is a sufficient wick standing out.
    Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)