Character is a set of qualities, or values, that shape our thoughts, actions, reactions and feelings. Abraham Lincoln said about character, “Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.” Our character is much more than just what we try to display for others to see, it is who we are even when no one is watching.
I believe that strong character is a complex of positive traits. For instance such person show compassion or empathy, he or she honest and fair, displays self-discipline, makes good judgments, shows respect to others and has a strong sense of responsibility.
As for compassion, we should concern about other people's feelings and needs. We live in big society and sometimes it is necessary to be sympathetic and tolerant to others. Unfortunately, relations between people and countries become cruel and rude, but we shouldn’t give in to such influence and try to be kind and strong in spite of negative situations.
Concerning honesty and fairness, they are important points as well. Firstly, honesty means being truthful with ourselves and with others. It means caring enough about others not to mislead them for personal benefit. It means facing up to our mistakes, even when we have to admit them to others or when they may get us into trouble. Fairness means "playing by the rules" and standing up for the right of everyone to be treated equally and honestly.
Saying about self-discipline it is the ability to resist doing things that can hurt others or ourselves. It is our internal force that can control us and we should train it. We face many obstacles during our life, we meet with failure, but anyway we shouldn’t give up because every problem makes us stronger mentally. I know very good example to prove it. According to great speech of J. K. Rowling, she said never give up, in spite of parents’ opinion that writing novels is useless she continued writing and achieve success. She knows what means real problems because she was jobless, a lone parent and poor but her internal force, bravery and courage help her to overcome difficulties. I suppose her life experience is very useful example for us.
