No matter how full a reservoir of maxims one may possess, and no matter how good one's sentiments may be, if one has not taken advantage of every concrete opportunity to act, one's character may remain entirely unaffected for the better.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of taking action and seizing opportunities in order to improve one's character. It suggests that simply having a collection of wise sayings or good intentions is not enough to make a real difference if one doesn't actively engage in behaviors that reflect those beliefs. Merely possessing knowledge or holding positive sentiments doesn't have a transformative effect on one's character unless it is put into practice through tangible actions and seizing every chance to make a positive impact.

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