Class!

"What a man is depends on his character; but what he does, and what we think of what he does, depends on his circumstances. The characteristics thatruin a man in one class made him eminent in another."
I think that Bernard is saying that character defines exactly who a person is. And in society you tend to connect with those who share your character. Good character people connect the best with other's who have good character, and the same goes for those with bad character. And with his character depends on how he acts with others. People in society today are very judgemental on how other act and who they are, so who a man is in others eyes depends on his character; who he is, good or bad. What he does is strongly related to what we think he does; judgemented by outsiders. Donating to a charity is definately what i'd like to call a mitzvah, but if a rich man does it and recieves attention and fame it is looked down upon that in his "character" that is why he did it, but if a middle class man donated money, not getting any attention, people are grateful for his donation and "character of thought". The rich man had great circumstances and it hardly effected him his income or anything he needs, and boosted his characters ego. On the other hand the middle class man did loose important money he may need, and didn't get anything out of it, of course he go the fact of being proud of what he did, but no object or fame. The middle class man from others perspective would define him as having better character.
In the poor class the option to be a santitaion worker would be something was had hoped for and is grateful for, but if that was given to a rich man it would be seen as gross and something they would never do. All classes are seperated and judge aspects of life differently.
All are seen and defined differently according to what they have. Classes will always be judgemental of the other based upon the mere fact that their want, needs, and desires differ.