True virtue, when she errs, needs not the eyes of men to excite her blushes; she is confounded at her own presence, and covered with confusion of face.

When Alexander had subdued the world, and wept that none were left to dispute his arms, his tears were an involuntary tribute to a monarchy that he knew not, man's empire over himself.

The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for there is no bulwark of mere morality, which some temptation may not overtop or undermine, and destroy.

Don't live to please others. Don't think everyone else knows what's right or true. Listen to yourself, and be true to yourself. That way, no matter what else happens in life, you will always have your self-respect.

The flatterer easily insinuates himself into the closet, while honest merit stands shivering in the hall or antechamber.

Magnanimity is above circumstance; and any virtue which depends on that is more of constitution than of principle.

To be truly and really independent is to support ourselves by our own exertions.