To aim at excellence, our reputation, and friends, and all must be ventured; to aim at the average we run no risk and provide little service.
Oliver GoldsmithFear guides more to their duty than gratitude; for one man who is virtuous from the love of virtue, from the obligation he thinks he lies under to the Giver of all, there are ten thousand who are good only from their apprehension of punishment.
Oliver GoldsmithThe fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.
Oliver Goldsmith