“To get a perfectly cut gemstone, the gemstone needs to experience friction and scrapes just as the youth needs to be shaped and scraped in his character in the right manner. This cutting process represents the rebuking and apt guidance that precedes growth in godly character. As this happens the gem is continually being refined and it will glow more splendidly just as the youth grows in godly, good character.”

“God alone knows exactly what you and I must endure in order to form His character in us. It is in our trials that God refines us and removes our impurities. Like refined gold, when we pass through our trials, people will see His perfect reflection in us.”

“The process doesn’t end there. Stories are more than just images. As you continue in the tale, you get to know the characters, motivations and conflicts that make up the core of the story. This requires more parts of the brain. Some parts process emotion. Others infer the thoughts of others, letting us empathize with their experiences. Yet other parts package the experience into memories for future reflection”

“The legislator should direct his attention above all to the education of youth; for the neglect of education does harm to the constitution. The citizen should be molded to suit the form of government under which he lives. For each government has a peculiar character which originally formed and which continues to preserve it. The character of democracy creates democracy, and the character of oligarchy creates oligarchy.”

“God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. HIs goal is not to pamper us physically, but to perfect us spiritually.”

“Character represent life and life represents our character.”