But better the shielding and the crust of bread with a good conscience, than the stately dwelling or palace without it. Better than the marble mausoleum which gilds and smothers tales of heartless villainy and fraud. There is nothing more sad than to be carried like a vessel away from the straight course of principle. To be left a stranded outcast thing on the sands of dishonor. A man bolstering himself up in a position he is not entitled to.
Character is capital.
Honor is capital. That is the most fearful of ruin when character is gone, when integrity is sold, when honor is bartered for a miserable mess of earthly pottage. Perish what may, gold, silver, houses, lands. Let the winds of misfortune dash our vessel on the sunken rock, but let integrity be like the valued keepsake which the sailor boy lashed with the rope round his body. The only thing we care to save.