What is the correct definition of the rhetorical element known as ethos?

in contrast, the biological controls are self-sustaining, inexpensive and very effective once established. biological control could be used on thousands of golf course acres, improving their biodiversity and quality as wildlife habitat. in the process, the golf industry will be shown to be leaders in an environmental stewardship program of benefit not only to the lands they manage but also to the watersheds in which they exist.

i confess that there are several parts of this constitution which i do not at present approve, but i am not sure i shall never approve them: for having lived long, i have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which i once thought right, but found to be otherwise. it is therefore that the older i grow, the more apt i am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.