How can I improve my character and my devotion to my parents, and what are the consequences of bad character and hypocrisy in improving them?

Good character is the heaviest thing in the scales, and those closest to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, are those with the best character. Disrespecting one's parents is among the major sins, and a Muslim must be absolutely kind to their parents. Character can be improved by understanding the virtues of good character and the evils of bad character, by examining the lives of the righteous predecessors, by avoiding anger, by associating with people of good character, by disciplining oneself, and by supplicating. If a Muslim acts poorly, they should promptly apologize and rectify the situation. What helps in honoring parents is knowing their rights and the relevant Islamic texts, realizing that honoring parents is a reason for one's own children to honor them, examining the lives of the righteous predecessors, reading books and attending lessons, offering gifts, speaking kindly, and supplicating.