Premanand Maharaj Ji
Is character more important than how much bhajan or tapasya I do?
Character before austerity
If your devotion is small, that will do, but a lack of character must not be there. Hiranyakashipu did great austerity, yet it was of no use because it was not for the world's good.
If our devotion is less, it will do, but there must be no lack of character. Even if we cannot do much bhajan or keep great purity and self-control, if we are not characterless, the work gets done.