I was no Marie Antoinette. I was not born to nobility, but I had a human right to nobility.

I was no Marie Antoinette. I was not born to nobility, but I had a human right to nobility.

If there is anything good about nobility it is that it enforces
the necessity of avoiding degeneracy.

If there is anything good about nobility it is that it enforces
the necessity of avoiding degeneracy.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., read more

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., Ein edler Mensch zieht edle Menschen an,
Und weiss sie fest zu halten, wie ihr thut.]

Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul.

Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul.

If noble death be virtue's chiefest part, We above all men are by Fortune blest, Striving with freedom's crown to read more

If noble death be virtue's chiefest part, We above all men are by Fortune blest, Striving with freedom's crown to honor Greece, we died, and here in endless glory rest

Be aristocracy the only joy:
Let commerce perish--let the world expire.

Be aristocracy the only joy:
Let commerce perish--let the world expire.

Whoe'er amidst the sons
Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue,
Displays distinguished merit, is a noble
read more

Whoe'er amidst the sons
Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue,
Displays distinguished merit, is a noble
Of Nature's own creating.

Be noble! And the nobleness that lies in other men, sleeping, but never dead, will rise in majesty to meet read more

Be noble! And the nobleness that lies in other men, sleeping, but never dead, will rise in majesty to meet thine own