People may talk as they will about the little respect that is paid to
virtue, unaccompanied by the outward accidents of wealth or station; but
I rather think it will be found that, in the long run, true and simple
virtue always has its proportionate reward in the respect and reverence
of everyone whose esteem is worth having. To be sure, it is not rewarded
after the way of the world as mere worldly possessions are, with low
obeisance and lip-service; but all the better and more noble qualities in
the hearts of others make ready and go forth to meet it on its approach,
provided only it be pure, simple, and unconscious of its own existence.