In a picture gallery at Brussels there is a painting by Weirk. A naturalist holds in his right hand a magnifying glass and in the other a handful of Napoleon and his marshals, guns and battle-flags tiny objects, swelling with meaningless glory. He examines these intensely while a child at his side looks on in open-eyed wonder. She cannot understand what these curious trifles could present to interest the grown man.

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Head as high as you please but feet always upon the common ground, never upon anybody’s shoulders or neck even though he be weak or willing.

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There is always room for a man of force and he makes room for many.
They whine over the commercial spirit; but what they mean is not the spirit of commerce.

Do you ordain the direction and intensity of the winds or waters? (for the lungs). Neither need you plan the channels of supply for your mouths and bodies.

Not to die bravely but live wisely.

Profligacy consists not in spending but in spending off the line of your career.

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The crime which bankrupts men and nations is that of turning aside from one’s main purpose to serve a job here or there.

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The man, who cannot say no to cheap and vulgar temptations, falls all the lower to the degree to which he is a free agent.