For what can be more irrational than to take delight in many objects incapable of response, such as office, fame, splendid buildings, and personal decoration, and yet to take little or none in a sentient being endowed with virtue, which has the faculty of loving or, if I may use the expression, loving back?
From a philosophical treatise on the nature of friendship, arguing for the unique value of mutual affection over material possessions.
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Further than this, who fails to see that those promises are not binding which are extorted by intimidation or which we make when misled by false pretences?
But for all cases we have one rule, with which I desire you to be perfectly familiar: that which seems expedient must not be morally wrong; or, if it is morally wrong, it must not seem expedient.
From this attitude come greatness of soul and a sense of superiority to worldly conditions.
Thus apparent expediency is outweighed when placed in the balance against moral rectitude.
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