--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Talent is a gift, but our character is a…" description: "\"Talent is a gift, but our character is a choice. Talent is natural ability, our gift from God, but we have the power to determine our character. That p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/john-c-maxwell-113_ability_talent-is-a-gift-but-our-character-is-a_1751175.jpg" --- # Talent is a gift, but our character is a choice. Talent is… ![“Talent is a gift, but our character is a choice. Talent is natural ability, our gift from God, but we have the power to determine our character. That power rests on a foundation consisting of the choices we make in life. And those choices almost always dictate the amount of trust others have in…” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/john-c-maxwell-113_ability_talent-is-a-gift-but-our-character-is-a_1751175.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/john-c-maxwell-113_ability_talent-is-a-gift-but-our-character-is-a_1751175.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/john-c-maxwell-113_ability_talent-is-a-gift-but-our-character-is-a_1751175.jpg) > “Talent is a gift, but our character is a choice. Talent is natural ability, our gift from God, but we have the power to determine our character. That power rests on a foundation consisting of the choices we make in life. And those choices almost always dictate the amount of trust others have in us, and to what level of leadership we rise.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Talent is innate, but character is built through deliberate choices that affect trust and leadership potential. **In simple terms:** Talent is given; character is chosen. Key Takeaway Choose actions that shape strong character. Themes leadership trust character development Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - team building - personal growth - public speaking Key Concepts choice personal responsibility faith Questions to Reflect On - What choices daily shape your character? - How do you balance talent and character? A Different Perspective Character alone cannot guarantee success without skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Gift from god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift-from-god/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Natural ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-ability/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Trust others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-others/) ## Related quotes > [I had to act in a school play when I was about ten years old. I really didn't want to do it. But everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-had-to-act-in-a-school-play-when-i-was-about-ten-years-old-i-really/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/talent-is-a-gift-but-character-is-a-choice/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [People often refer to a creative ability as a 'gift', and, of course, it is, in that, if I had sat down and logically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-s-crisp/people-often-refer-to-a-creative-ability-as-a-gift-and-of-course-it/) [Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-s-crisp/) > [“Your ability is a gift, but it isn't enough to reach your goal. You must be persistent and diligent on your way, and whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-b-vayk/your-ability-is-a-gift-but-it-isn-t-enough-to-reach-your-goal-you/) B.B. Vayk > [I consider my musical ability to be a gift from the Creator. It's not that I try to work hard or nothing like that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erykah-badu/i-consider-my-musical-ability-to-be-a-gift-from-the-creator-it-s-not/) [Erykah Badu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erykah-badu/) > [What often separates the good from the great is a layer of innate ability, a gift, so it's partly that. There's many people with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rankin/what-often-separates-the-good-from-the-great-is-a-layer-of-innate/) [Paul Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rankin/) > [“His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/his-talent-was-as-natural-as-the-pattern-that-was-made-by-the-dust-on-2/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Hard work will always overcome natural talent when natural talent does not work hard enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/hard-work-will-always-overcome-natural-talent-when-natural-talent/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/his-talent-was-as-natural-as-the-pattern-that-was-made-by-the-dust-on/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Talent is natural. Excellence is choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/talent-is-natural-excellence-is-choice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Talent (a natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving) × Investment (time spent practicing, developing your skills, and building your knowledge base) = Strength…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/talent-a-natural-way-of-thinking-feeling-or-behaving-investment-time/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“Talent is natural but special inborn abilities”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-lucas-d-shallua/talent-is-natural-but-special-inborn-abilities/) [Dr. Lucas D. Shallua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-lucas-d-shallua/) > [“THE TALENT IS A GIFT BUT THE VIBE IS SOLD SEPARATELY!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/qwana-m-babygirl-reynolds-frasier/the-talent-is-a-gift-but-the-vibe-is-sold-separately/) [Qwana M. "BabyGirl" Reynolds-Frasier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/qwana-m-babygirl-reynolds-frasier/) > [Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/artistic-talent-is-a-gift-from-god-and-whoever-discovers-it-in/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Talent is the gift plus the passion - a desire to succeed so intense that no force on earth can stop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-simon/talent-is-the-gift-plus-the-passion-a-desire-to-succeed-so-intense/) [Neil Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-simon/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Talent is a gift, but our character is a choice. 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