"The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves"

In this quote, Leon Trotsky recommends that the true measure of a person's character depends on their ethical reserves. These reserves are just exposed when an individual is faced with tough or unfamiliar circumstances, as they are required to count on their inner values and principles. According to Trotsky, it is just when individuals are gotten of their comfort zone that their real selves are exposed. This might be viewed as a test of one's character, as it requires them to bring into play their inner strength and stability. Eventually, Trotsky thinks that an individual's ethical reserves are what specify their depth and strength as a person.