The golden age is before us, not behind us. The fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile; intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal. Necessity makes even the timid brave. In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art. Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure. A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat justice by evil means. |