Some people consider that character is purely mental; that to improve or form someone's character (by whatever yard-stick you use) you must address their intellect. Examples of this can be found in religious preaching, sermons, lectures, philosophy, debate, morality taless, fables, and various works of literature, treatises and tracts.

Other people believe that there is a link between moral character and your physical body; improvement of the character may be sought through privation, pain or other hardships. Examples of this are often found in religious life (hermits, Spartan conditions in monasteries and nunneries, flagellation and other self-mortification), and also in corporal punishment, the pain of childbirth, and restrictive diets and fasting.

This second concept of moral character can also be seen reflected in the English language in phrases such as "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" (used in both literal and abstract senses), or saying that some unpleasant act is "character forming".

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