Every Act Influences Character.--Every act of life, however unimportant, has its influence in forming the character. A good character is more precious than worldly possessions, and the work of forming it is the noblest in which men can engage.--4T 657 (1881).
The Mind Is the Garden, Character the Fruit.-- Every faculty in man is a workman that is building for time and for eternity. Day by day the structure is going up, although the possessor is not aware of it. It is a building which must stand either as a beacon of warning because of its deformity or as a structure which God and angels will admire for its harmony with the Divine Model.
The mental and moral powers which God has given us do not constitute character. They are talents which we are to improve and which, if properly improved, will form a right character. A man may have precious seed in his hand, but that seed is not an orchard. The seed must be planted before it can become a tree. The mind is the garden; the character is the fruit. God has given us our faculties to cultivate and develop. Our own course determines our character. In training these powers so that they shall harmonize and form a valuable character, we have a work which no one but ourselves can do.-- 4T 606 (1881).
A Noble Character Formed by Stern Battles With Self.--Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-around character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. --COL 331 (1900).
Meditation and Action Essential.--Abstract meditation is not enough; busy action is not enough--both are essential to the formation of Christian character.-- 5T 113 (1882). 2MCP 545-546
"God is love" is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. SC 10
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27