[A summer repeat from January 26, 2012]

Each day when I tutor for the Chicago Lights Tutoring Program http://www.chicagolights.org  (see posts of August 8 and 9, 2011), I try to give my student a 3″ x 5″ card with a quotation on it. Usually the quote relates to character, integrity, hard work and achievement. I’m partial to the wisdom of John Wooden (winningest coach in NCAA basketball) but I offer the words of others as well.

“Character is doing what’s right – when no one is looking.” J.C. Watts

“Character is higher than intellect.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” James D. Miles

“Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln

“Character is much easier kept than recovered.” Thomas Paine

“The measure of true character is what a man would do if he knew he would never be found out.” Thomas Babington Macaulay

“Ability may get you to the top but it takes character to keep you there.” John Wooden

“In each human heart are a tiger, a pig, an ass and a nightengale. Diversity of character is due to their unequal activity.” Ambrose Bierce

“Education” is not just reading and math. It’s learning about tenacity, grit, hard work, civility and character.