“In the meanest mortal there lies something nobler. The poor swearing soldier, hired to be shot, has his "honor of a soldier," different from drill-regulations and the shilling a day. It is not to taste sweet things, but to do noble and true things, and vindicate himself under God's Heaven as a god-made Man, that the poorest son of Adam dimly longs. Show him the way of doing that, the dullest day-drudge kindles into a hero. They wrong man greatly who say he is to be seduced by ease.”

— Thomas Carlyle

1840s, Heroes and Hero-Worship (1840), The Hero as Prophet

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Thomas Carlyle 481

Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian… 1795–1881

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Adv. Prax. 18 http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0788/_P1.HTM
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Original: (la) Igitur unus deus pater, et absque eo alius non est: quod ipse inferens non filium negat sed alium deum: ceterum alius a patre filius non est.