Whoe'er amidst the sons
Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue,
Displays distinguished merit, is a noble
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Whoe'er amidst the sons
Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue,
Displays distinguished merit, is a noble
Of Nature's own creating.

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.

War alone brings up to their highest tension all human energies and imposes the stamp of nobility upon the peoples read more

War alone brings up to their highest tension all human energies and imposes the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to make it.

Fond man! though all the heroes of your line
Bedeck your halls, and round your galleries shine
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Fond man! though all the heroes of your line
Bedeck your halls, and round your galleries shine
In proud display; yet take this truth from me--
Virtue alone is true nobility!

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.

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.

The noblest character is stained by the addition of pride.
[Lat., Inquinat egregios adjuncta superbia mores.]

The noblest character is stained by the addition of pride.
[Lat., Inquinat egregios adjuncta superbia mores.]

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.

Let wealth and commerce, laws and learning die,
But leave us still our old nobility.

Let wealth and commerce, laws and learning die,
But leave us still our old nobility.