Being born doesn't equate to being yourself. When you are born, you are not programmed a certain ay by nature. People have certain traits that distinguish them from others. We call these attributes character. If a person is honest and trustworthy, you learn to always depend on them. If that person lies once, that would be not of his character. Another person is irresponsible. He is then predictable. He will always be irresponsible. You can never depend on him. Thus it goes. Everyone has unique traits that distinguish themselves. Through this we are able to describe their characters. So can character be changed? Yes.
From adolescence people acquire certain habits. Collectively, these habits begin shaping our character. They shape and define us as human beings. Our habits can be positive or negative: honest, dependable, kind, or even, dishonest, deceit, all variables that define us as a whole. Nature does not give us character, however, it is an important variable which determines what experiences we go through, what habits we pick up along in life.
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A better question would be, do I believe character can be changed easily? I believe it depends on the person himself. It depends how difficult it is for them to change their habits. However, it is up to them if they truly want to change, because people seldom change. A child who is mischievous at age 7 will probably be the same at age 25. A dishonest boy at 10, will probably be a dishonest man. A person's character usually remains the same through their entire life. I have observed that people do try to change in life. They aspire to become "better". For example, a New Year's resolution to change yourself, your habits; however they seldom work. Those who are serious and committed to the change are the ones who accomplish a change of character. Therefore, being true to yourself, and committed, are prerequisites to change of character.
Where as I did agree with Voltaire that character can be changed, it is my strong believe that nature doesn't engrave anything in us.
