To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.

If you can't get to be uncommon through going straight, you'll never get to do it through going crooked. [...] live well and die happy.

I have undergone too much, my friend, to feel pride or squeamishness now. Except - added Nicholas, hastily, after a short silence - except such squeamishness as is common honesty, and so much pride as constitutes self-respect.

It is not possible to know how far the influence of any amiable, honest-hearted duty-doing man flies out into the world, but it is very possible to know how it has touched one's self in going by, and I know right well that any good that intermixed itself with my apprenticeship came of plain contented Joe, and not of restlessly aspiring discontented me.