There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your read more

There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., read more

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., Ein edler Mensch zieht edle Menschen an,
Und weiss sie fest zu halten, wie ihr thut.]

This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they read more

This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He, only in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Titles are marks of honest men, and wise:
The fool or knave that wears a title lies.

Titles are marks of honest men, and wise:
The fool or knave that wears a title lies.

Be aristocracy the only joy:
Let commerce perish--let the world expire.

Be aristocracy the only joy:
Let commerce perish--let the world expire.

True nobility is exempt from fear.

True nobility is exempt from fear.

Men of noble birth are noted to be envious towards new men when they rise. For the distance is altered, read more

Men of noble birth are noted to be envious towards new men when they rise. For the distance is altered, and it is like a deceit of the eye, that when others come on they think themselves go back.

It is perhaps common in the world for individuals and nations to suffer for their noble qualities more than for read more

It is perhaps common in the world for individuals and nations to suffer for their noble qualities more than for their ignoble ones. For nobility is an occasion for pride, the most treacherous of sentiments.