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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.

Michael Josephson

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Michael Josephson
Age: 82
Born: 1942
Born: December 10
Motivational Speaker
Philosopher
Lives
Character
Enough
Good
Intentions
Think
Defined
Thinking
Intention
Determined
Simply

More quotes by Michael Josephson

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Character is ethics in action.
Michael Josephson
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I am not and never will be perfect. I am not always as honest, respectful, responsible, fair or as kind as I should be. All I can do is what I should do: strive every day, with every decision to be the best person I can be. I don’t expect to be perfect but I know I can be better.
Michael Josephson
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Character is made up of core moral principles called the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, fairness and citizenship. Each of these virtues are independently important but together they provide the foundation for a worthy life.
Michael Josephson
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Happiness is the peace of mind that comes from feeling that I am living a worthy life in the company of people I love and in the service of something bigger than myself.
Michael Josephson
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Necessity is not merely the father of invention it is the father of courage.
Michael Josephson
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Some jobs require a more consistent challenge to moral courage than others. Politics is one. In such a setting terrifically good men and women will still be found wanting occasionally. No one does the right thing all the time. It would be more generous and fair to consider their batting average than to judge them only by their last worst act.
Michael Josephson
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The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.
Michael Josephson
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Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.
Michael Josephson
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Gratitude is most treasured when it is unexpected. When we expect, even demand gratitude, we treat it simply as payment due for some service we rendered and we squeeze any good feeling out of it.
Michael Josephson
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When was the last time you wrote a thank you note? When was the last time you went beyond a mechanical thank you to express authentic gratitude? We can enrich the lives of others and ourselves by making it a habit to express genuine appreciation for what others have done for us.
Michael Josephson
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A person is said to have good character when their habits, dispositions and conduct reflect a deep commitment to ethical virtues and moral principles.
Michael Josephson
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To the barefoot man, happiness is a pair of shoes. To the man with old shoes, it's a pair of new shoes. To the man with new shoes, it's stylish shoes. And of course, the fellow with no feet would be happy to be barefoot. Measure your life by what you have not by what you don't.
Michael Josephson
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We judge our own character by our best intentions and most noble acts, but we will be judged by our last worst act.
Michael Josephson
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The ethical person should do more then he is required to do, and less than he is allowed to.
Michael Josephson
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There's some wisdom and no moral deficiency to one who holds courage in reserve and uses it as a last resort. Before we take the kind of risks that require courage, we ought to exhaust other less risky alternatives.
Michael Josephson
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Pretty isn't beauty. Pretty is how you look Beauty is who you are. Pretty is in the face and body Beauty is in the heart, mind and soul. Pretty fades Beauty grows.
Michael Josephson
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A good coach improves your game. A great coach improves your life.
Michael Josephson
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I am grateful for all those people who said no. It is because of them that I did it myself. Practice an attitude of gratitude. You can either be miserable dwelling on the troubles you have or grateful for the ones you don't have. Your troubles don't care but it makes a huge difference in your life.
Michael Josephson
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Whatever you do, make a difference. Earn the right to look back at something and say, 'I did that.'
Michael Josephson
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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.
Michael Josephson