--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Character is what you have when nobody is…" description: "\"Character is what you have when nobody is looking.\" — Marie Dressler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png" --- # Character is what you have when nobody is looking. ![“Character is what you have when nobody is looking.” quote by Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png) > “Character is what you have when nobody is looking.” [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Integrity is revealed when no one watches. **In simple terms:** Integrity appears when unseen. Key Takeaway Act honestly even without observers. Themes ethics character integrity trust Mood thoughtful inspirational ethical Type moral philosophical personal When to use this quote - workplace - personal relationships - online interactions - public service - private moments Key Concepts moral philosophy social behavior psychology Questions to Reflect On - Do you act the same when alone? - What motivates honesty? A Different Perspective People may act differently when observed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-looking-1013514/) [Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking/) ## Related quotes > [“The quality of someone's character is not based on what they do for others when the whole world is around. The true quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-billings/the-quality-of-someone-s-character-is-not-based-on-what-they-do-for/) [Cam Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-billings/) > [With films it's not usually that I have a particular character I'm looking for; I'll read the character and my imagination will start spinning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-wilson/with-films-it-s-not-usually-that-i-have-a-particular-character-i-m/) [Lydia Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-wilson/) > [Sometimes, I think I may be more recognizable because I'm character-looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/sometimes-i-think-i-may-be-more-recognizable-because-i-m-character/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [An actor's only perception is of their character, and they're looking at one piece. A writer is looking at the entire story. They're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-plec/an-actor-s-only-perception-is-of-their-character-and-they-re-looking/) [Julie Plec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-plec/) > [All the time that I'm acting with an animated character, I'm looking at a tennis ball or sticky tape or an eyeline or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-wasikowska/all-the-time-that-i-m-acting-with-an-animated-character-i-m-looking/) [Mia Wasikowska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-wasikowska/) > [Well, usually when I finish one character, I'm looking for a role that's really different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-perabo/well-usually-when-i-finish-one-character-i-m-looking-for-a-role-that/) [Piper Perabo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-perabo/) > [Character is who you are when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-williams/character-is-who-you-are-when-no-one-is-looking/) [Allan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-williams/) > [I've sort of prided myself on playing characters with conscience. The first way I go about creating a character is looking at that area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-toussaint/i-ve-sort-of-prided-myself-on-playing-characters-with-conscience-the/) [Lorraine Toussaint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-toussaint/) > [The measure of your character is not what you do when people are looking. It’s what you do when you think no one is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/the-measure-of-your-character-is-not-what-you-do-when-people-are/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I like looking at the characters. Seeing them always brings up some voice or attitude. I am much more visual, and that works so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-welker/i-like-looking-at-the-characters-seeing-them-always-brings-up-some/) [Frank Welker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-welker/) > [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [Once you stop looking for what you what you find exactly what you need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia/once-you-stop-looking-for-what-you-what-you-find-exactly-what-you-need/) [Cynthia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [I'm tired of looking for the perfect guy. From now on.. he can look for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-tired-of-looking-for-the-perfect-guy-from-now-on-he-can-look-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Marie Dressler > [If there's one thing I know, it's men. I ought to. It's been my life's work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/if-there-s-one-thing-i-know-it-s-men-i-ought-to-it-s-been-my-life-s/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [We have learned to take life seriously, but never ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/we-have-learned-to-take-life-seriously-but-never-ourselves/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [If ants are such busy workers, how come they find time to go to all the picnics?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/if-ants-are-such-busy-workers-how-come-they-find-time-to-go-to-all/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [There are very few persons who would think of inquiring into the private life of the newspaper dealer at the corner, or the druggist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/there-are-very-few-persons-who-would-think-of-inquiring-into-the/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [I never ride horseback now because my sympathy with the under-dog is too keen. After we have a gone a few blocks, I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/i-never-ride-horseback-now-because-my-sympathy-with-the-under-dog-is/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [Fate cast me to play the role of an ugly duckling with no promise of swanning. . . . I have played my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/fate-cast-me-to-play-the-role-of-an-ugly-duckling-with-no-promise-of/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [If a man is worth loving at all, he is worth loving generously, even recklessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/if-a-man-is-worth-loving-at-all-he-is-worth-loving-generously-even/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [No vice is so bad as advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/no-vice-is-so-bad-as-advice/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [To know that one has never really tried - that is the only death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/to-know-that-one-has-never-really-tried-that-is-the-only-death/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [In order to represent life on the stage, we must rub elbows with life, live ourselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/in-order-to-represent-life-on-the-stage-we-must-rub-elbows-with-life/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [Never one thing and seldom one person can make for a success. It takes a number of them merging into one perfect whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/never-one-thing-and-seldom-one-person-can-make-for-a-success-it-takes/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [Never shall I forget those naked, clean-swept little Canadian towns, one just like the other. Before I was twelve years old, I must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/never-shall-i-forget-those-naked-clean-swept-little-canadian-towns/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [Only a few things are really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/only-a-few-things-are-really-important/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [I never weep over lost money, for I figure I'd rather go to the poorhouse once than go there every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/i-never-weep-over-lost-money-for-i-figure-i-d-rather-go-to-the/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [I was born serious and I have earned my bread making other people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/i-was-born-serious-and-i-have-earned-my-bread-making-other-people/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) [Explore all 32 Marie Dressler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) ## 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. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. 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. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Character is what you have when nobody is looking.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marie Dressler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-is-looking/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-is-looking/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/marie-dressler-19848_character_character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-i_1385407.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Character is what you have when nobody is looking.” — Marie Dressler", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marie Dressler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Character is what you have when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-is-looking/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/character-is-what-you-have-when-nobody-is-looking/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```