If thou wouldst be interesting, keep thy personality in the background, and be great and strong in and through thy subject. - John Lancaster Spalding

It is unpleasant to turn back, though it be to take the right way.

Thy money, thy office, thy reputation are nothing; put away these phantom clothings, and stand like an athlete stripped for the battle.

To how much lying, extravagance, hypocrisy and servilism does not the fear of ridicule lead? Human respect makes us cowards and slaves. It may deter from evil, but much oftener it drives to baseness. “We are too much afraid,” said Cato, “of death, exile and poverty.”