A noble and God-like ...

A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts.
A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts.

Quotes from the same author

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.
As a man thinketh in his heart, so shall he be
The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.
In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.
The vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, this you will become.