Character

by Samuel Smiles

Character is one of the greatest motive powers in the world. In its noblest embodiments, it exemplifies human nature in its highest forms, for it exhibits man at his best.**** Men of genuine excellence, in every station of life-men of industry, of integrity, of high principle, of sterling honesty of purpose-command the spontaneous homage of mankind. It is natural to believe in such men, to have confidence in them, and to imitate them. All that is good in the world is upheld by them, and without their presence in it the world would not be worth living in.-Samuel Smiles

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Personal Development, Psychology, Parenting

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2009

About the author

Samuel Smiles (23 December 1812 – 16 April 1904), was a Scottish author and government reformer, who campaigned on a Chartist platform. But he concluded that more progress would come from new attitudes than from new laws. His masterpiece, Self-Help (1859), promoted thrift and claimed that poverty was caused largely by irresponsible habits, while also attacking materialism and laissez-faire government. It has been called "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism", and it raised Smiles to celebrity status almost overnight.

Reviews

[Henrik Haapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character by Samuel smiles (update)
Excellent author, excellent book.
Classic, old book that talks about work, courage, self-control, duty and manners and many more topics by the guy who invented “self-help”.
I’m not “done” with this book, like most great books deserves a reread.

“A man may usually be known by the books he reads, as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a Companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, Whether it be of books or of men.”

“I slept and dreamt that life was beauty
I woke and found that life was duty.” /Kant

[Nicholeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want an epiphany every two sentences, this is the book for you.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smiles is a word-master....and just for that reason, Character is an excellent read.
Here's a taste:

"Want of respect for the feelings of others usually originates in selfishness, and originates in selfishness, and issues in hardness and repulsivness of manner. It may not proceed from malignity so much as from want of sympathy and want of delicacy-a want of that perception of, and attention to, those little and apparently trifling things by which pleasure is given or pain occasioned to others."

"Good sense, disciplined by experience and inspired by goodness, issues in pratical wisdom."

"Conscience is the moral govenor of the heart--the govenor of right action, of right faith, of right life--and only through it's dominating influence can the noble and upright character be fully developed."

[Moss 慈映夢図 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've ever read.

This is one of those rare finds where I highlighted so many passages that it became meaningless, and if I ever wanted some insight in future I need only pick a sub-header, flip to a random page, and read two paragraphs. I'll probably get what I'm looking for before I finish.

If I could, I would make this available as an optional read in every school and university. Lord knows we need more people of character.

Cannot recommend highly enough, and cannot wait to revisit in subsequent years.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read one-third in so far, and a few comments:

I love that this book actually speaks to both men and women, of what virtues are "traditionally" expected of both. (i.e. women's character are private and in the home, rather than public, but they occasionally do become publicly known for character).

Samuel Smiles provide several examples of great people in history, many of them are in the British parliamentary. Given the age this book was written in, of course, all the examples of great men and women lived in a different age. Nonetheless, there were several universal truths regarding character, and amazing if one could learn and live them!

There is one other part that I have to mull over though. Of the several examples listed, many belong to the "martyrs" category - i.e. those whose lives were so dedicated to goodness, to truths, to purposes higher than themselves, at the risk of their own lives. This is both amazing but also, rather a bit disturbing, no? Of course, not everyone had to risk his/her own life. It certainly calls for having an opinion, and the courage to defend that, two of the many things that make up character.

A great read so far, and highly recommended!

[Abdullah Almuslem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that deals with lots of aspects in life. Samuel Smiles puts all his knowledge and wisdom in this book in which you feel you are reading "books" not one book. His arguments about the rise and fall of societies are impressive. He shows a deep understanding about the human being which gives his book a soul that will not die. This was truly one of the best books I have ever read and I would recommend it to anybody who wants to rise to higher place in his society.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has the potential to be a life changing book, it depends on what you bring to it. I loved it, it has wonderful, practical and powerful truths in it that motivate the reader to be a better person. I'm going to read this book again with my husband.

[Mike Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Should be read and re-read. Should be mandatory reading in public schools. Character is lacking in today’s society. Please read

[Stan Martin El · Rating 1 out of 5]

Immediately Disappointed

George Washington was a slave owner. Yet he is portrayed in this book as a man of honorable character. No thank you to the Author.

[Ben Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel Smiles is my favourite author; being a British, industrial ‘hard worker’ I first learnt the ways of Samuel Smiles (and co.) by picking up his book ‘self-help’ on a shelf in state of spontaneity, I knew I struck gold by the look of the old fashioned ‘character’ imbedded into the exterior of the book. It is (fairly) well known that he is the first self-help author, and the best (in my humble opinion). Character is probably the better book. I’ve read thrift, self-help, duty & character, and I must say Character is my favourite, though the other books have their benefits, which ultimately all culminate in the total character of the industrialist. Furthermore Smiles truly doesn’t leave words misused or without an impact, every word is effective and well coerced to paint a picture of virtue and victory over the common worker of the Victorian era and the vices that can overthrow virtue. The book in my possession has a book stamp that reads ‘Industria Virtus Et Fortitudo’ - I don’t know Latin, but I do know common sense. The whole book is simply quality; Industry, Virtue, Fortitude. The whole book contains religious and labour like philosophy. St.Bernard has a mind alike with his quote: “Ora et labora” - Pray & Labour which Smiles eludes to, or more-so explains in ‘Character’. The content pages are well presented in the Smiles collection (I think), you can get a good idea of what the books about by reading the contents, which is obvious, but the magic of Smiles sincere, but eloquent writing and elucidation goes missing. Yes. This is a long book (like all good books are) and full with beauty, duty, education, companionship, experience, temperance and everything that amounts to ‘good character’. If you are an eager and directional young person, I recommend this book. I hope this review finds you well, and you add this to your reading list (make sure you get the John Murray print). Grace and Peace to you.

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about intense, Mr. Smiles talks about the value of experience,
"Perfect Happiness is not to be looked for in this world, and if it could be found it would be found lacking " Goethe

Smiles--Gives us the grit and persistency of Milon, Dante, Samoens, and many others who kept on driving on despite being overlooked, persecuted, hissed-down, and denigrated by the Vulgar multitude.

Great Book--A Classic for the ages

[Forrest · Rating 1 out of 5]

我可能是品格低落的人，這本書我怎覺得是都是些幹話......

[Anthony Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Smiles



I decided to read this book after finding a stack of old books in my garage belonging to my late Grandmother Renee. I never met her, but from the stories I've heard of her it is fair to say she was a fairly bad ass woman. So of course the books she read must also be bad ass. Sifting through the boxes of books, I happened to come across Character. Character, by Samuel Smiles, was published in 1910 and is a self help book focusing on developing character within ones self. Interesting enough. This book is spectacular especially considering the time period it was written in since most of what Smiles writes about is still very relevant to today's character building. That's good or bad depending on which way you look at it; 1) Our views on character development should be reviewed or 2) the way people build character is a universal conflict. I tend to support the second point of view since I think this type of character development is the best type. I don't really know of any other way to build character.

This book was a fairly easy read, although if you want to get the most out of it you should perform a little bit of research (just a little bit, no need to write an entire essay) into the time period it was written in. Also, look into the books that it pulls quotes out of. Smiles loves to use quotes. From other books. Just a quick glance on Google is all that's necessary. Other than that, the book was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to people who are interested in the thought processes of this time period, plus anyone who is just looking to better themselves in character building.

4/5 stars because the book smells. It's old.

[Paulo Peres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complemento para leitores de Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ações que nos levam a aumentar o nosso caráter e virtudes são elementos importantes hoje em dia. Samuel traz boas reflexões filosóficas sobre a racionalidade de uma pessoa com caráter. O autor traz menções, descrições e conteúdos que podem ser complemento à leituras referentes a humildade, retidão, civilidade, compromisso, serenidade, estoicismo, e até do direito de estado ou inclusive a masculinidade. Penso que a época que foi escrita traz memórias que sempre podemos ponderar - como em muitos livros de filosofia. Recomendo tmb para leitores de Ralph Waldo Emerson, como eu.

[Pradeep Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book, read it a decade ago, reading it again

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with Samuel Smiles!