William G. Simms

To be amiable is most certainly a duty but it is not to be exercised at the expense of any virtue. He who seeks to always do the amiable thing can at times be successful only by the sacrifice of his manhood.

He who would acquire fame must not show himself afraid of censure. The dread of censure is the death of genius.

Most men remember obligations, but not often to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance and the vain silent.

Tact is one of the first mental virtues, the absence of which is often fatal to the best of talents; it supplies the place of many talents.

Neither praise nor blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe and honestly to award - these are the true aims and duties of criticism.