• Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul; then shalt thou reach the point of happiness, and independence shall be thy shield and buckler, thy helmet and crown; then shall thy soul walk upright, nor stoop to the silken wretch because he hath riches, nor pocket an abuse because the hand which offers it wears a ring set with diamonds.

    Benjamin Franklin: Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul; then shalt thou reach   the point of happiness, and independence shall be thy shield   and buckler, thy helmet and crown; then shall thy soul walk   upright, nor stoop to the silken wretch because he hath   riches, nor pocket an abuse because the hand which offers it   wears a ring set with diamonds.
    Benjamin Franklin (1824). “The Works with His Life /Franklin, Benjamin”, p.149