--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ultimately, my character is defined by…" description: "\"Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my sensitivity to other people. I exist in equilibrium. I am here to the degree I am there.\" — Hu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/hugh-prather-3404_character_ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-th_23114.png" --- # Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my… ![“Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my sensitivity to other people. I exist in equilibrium. I am here to the degree I am there.” quote by Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/hugh-prather-3404_character_ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-th_23114.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/hugh-prather-3404_character_ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-th_23114.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/hugh-prather-3404_character_ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-th_23114.png) > “Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my sensitivity to other people. I exist in equilibrium. I am here to the degree I am there.” [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote emphasizes that personal identity is shaped by how attuned one is to others, suggesting a balanced, relational self that exists in proportion to one's presence in the world. **In simple terms:** Self is defined by relational sensitivity. Key Takeaway Identity hinges on empathy. Themes self-awareness empathy balance existentialism interpersonal relations Mood thoughtful reflective introspective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - leadership coaching - counseling - team building - mindfulness practice Key Concepts character sensitivity equilibrium Practical Applications - enhancing emotional intelligence - guiding reflective journaling Questions to Reflect On - How does your sensitivity to others shape your decisions? - In what ways can you cultivate equilibrium in your relationships? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Defined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-defined-403433/) [Defined Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined-quality-403435/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Exist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exist/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Sensitivity People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensitivity-people-403436/) [Ultimately Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimately-character-403434/) ## Related quotes > [“The keen sensitivity with which people detect the flaws of their rivals is one of nature's wonders. It takes a Herculean effort to control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wright/the-keen-sensitivity-with-which-people-detect-the-flaws-of-their/) [Robert Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wright/) > [Ultimately, I don't think you can be a character who's completely alien or divorced from your own personality. 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If they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cooke/ultimately-if-the-character-is-interesting-and-you-said-that-before/) [Christian Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cooke/) > [A character is defined by the kinds of challenges he cannot walk away from. And by those he has walked away from that cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/a-character-is-defined-by-the-kinds-of-challenges-he-cannot-walk-away/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [The depth and strength of our character is defined by our moral code. People only reveal themselves when they're thrown out of the usual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-depth-and-strength-of-our-character-is-defined-by-our-moral-code/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“In matters of the heart and endings, a man's character is defined not by the act of parting ways with a woman but by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-apetsi/in-matters-of-the-heart-and-endings-a-man-s-character-is-defined-not/) [Emmanuel Apetsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-apetsi/) > [People always tell me I'm nothing like my character. Well, hopefully not! He's a character who's very defined. He was purposefully written by Jo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-felton/people-always-tell-me-i-m-nothing-like-my-character-well-hopefully/) [Tom Felton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-felton/) > [The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. 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Our character is defined and our lives are determined not by what we want, say or think, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/good-intentions-are-simply-not-enough-our-character-is-defined-and/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [The part of my life where my character was defined was at work because of the decisions I make and the things I do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-mercurio/the-part-of-my-life-where-my-character-was-defined-was-at-work/) [Jed Mercurio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-mercurio/) > [“Even if we can handle it academically or intellectually, it doesn‘t mean we can handle it physically or emotionally. We need extra time, extra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-simone/even-if-we-can-handle-it-academically-or-intellectually-it-doesn-t/) [Rudy Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-simone/) ## More by Hugh Prather > [“I wish" assumes that I know what is the opposite of my present experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-wish-assumes-that-i-know-what-is-the-opposite-of-my-present/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Sometimes when I generalize, I am saying, 'Let's pretend I am God,' and of course the other person argues that point endlessly. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/sometimes-when-i-generalize-i-am-saying-let-s-pretend-i-am-god-and-of/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [If the ocean was pure mind and I was a wave, I would be in terror if Itried to distinguish myself fromthe water that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/if-the-ocean-was-pure-mind-and-i-was-a-wave-i-would-be-in-terror-if/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I don't need a "reason" to be happy. I don't have to consult the future to know how happy I feel now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-don-t-need-a-reason-to-be-happy-i-don-t-have-to-consult-the-future/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [“In order to see, I have to be willing to be seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/in-order-to-see-i-have-to-be-willing-to-be-seen/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [No matter what we talk about, we are talking about ourselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/no-matter-what-we-talk-about-we-are-talking-about-ourselves/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Love itself is not an act of will, but sometimes I need the force of my volition to break with my habitual responses and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/love-itself-is-not-an-act-of-will-but-sometimes-i-need-the-force-of/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I can not 'make my mark' for all time - those concepts are mutually exclusive. 'Lasting effect' is a self-contradictory term. Meaning does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-can-not-make-my-mark-for-all-time-those-concepts-are-mutually/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Today I don't want to live for, I want to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/today-i-don-t-want-to-live-for-i-want-to-live/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Love, the magician, knows this little trick whereby two people walk in different directions yet always remain side by side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/love-the-magician-knows-this-little-trick-whereby-two-people-walk-in/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Books seek us out. They slip themselves into our hands just at the time we are ready for a new self-concept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/books-seek-us-out-they-slip-themselves-into-our-hands-just-at-the/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [If I work toward an end, meantime I am confined to a process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/if-i-work-toward-an-end-meantime-i-am-confined-to-a-process/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Happiness is gentleness, peace, concentration, simplicity, forgiveness, humor, fearlessness, trust, and now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/happiness-is-gentleness-peace-concentration-simplicity-forgiveness/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [One element of maturity is the realization that we don't get away with anything. Any advantage gained or convenience taken, any private procrastination or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/one-element-of-maturity-is-the-realization-that-we-don-t-get-away/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I can't be found in myself; I discover myself in others. That much is clear. And I suspect that I also love and care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-can-t-be-found-in-myself-i-discover-myself-in-others-that-much-is/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) [Explore all 130 Hugh Prather quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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