Samuel Smiles Quotes

Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.

Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them.

Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work.

You can be deprived of your money, your job and your home by someone else, but remember that no one can ever take away your honor.

The Englishman wants to be recognized as a gentleman, or as some other suitable species of human being, the American wants to be considered a good guy.

You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit.

Honor's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat at all times.

I can make a lord, but only God can make a gentleman.

The only infallible rule we know is, that the man who is always talking about being a gentleman never is one.

Anyone can be heroic from time to time, but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time.

A good reputation is more valuable than money.

Being a gentleman is a worthy goal.

Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting without a gem.

I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.

No age, sex, or condition is above or below the absolute necessity of modesty; but without it one is vastly beneath the rank of man.

Be honorable yourself if you wish to associate with honorable people

On the whole, it is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.

Virtue shows quite as well in rags and patches as she does in purple and fine linen.

Honor has not to be won; it must only not be lost.

You know, at the end of the day, the only thing you have is trust and honor in this world. That's all you have. All you have is your reputation built on trust and your personal honor. When you don't have that anymore, well, you know, there you go. Trust was broken.

I suspect that with men like General Petraeus, where honor means something - losing your life is secondary to losing your honor.

Show me the person you honor, for I know better by that the kind of person you are. For you show me what your idea of humanity is.

It is not what he had, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.

I take things like honor and loyalty seriously. It's more important to me than any materialistic thing or any fame I could have.

The person I liked the best was Gerald R. Ford. He was the most decent man in politics I ever had any relationships with.