The essence of true nobility is neglect of self. Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of a great action is gone, like the bloom from a soiled flower.

There are epidemics of nobleness as well as epidemics of disease.

There is always a part of our being into which those who are dearer to us far than our own lives are yet unable to enter.

Nature is less partial than she appears, and all situations in life have their compensations along with them.

Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.

The better one is morally the less aware they are of their virtue.

To tell men that they cannot help themselves is to fling them into recklessness and despair.