“If there be no nobility of descent, all the more indispensable is it that there should be nobility of ascent, — a character in them that bear rule so fine and high and pure that as men come within the circle of its influence they involuntarily pay homage to that which is the one pre-eminent distinction, the royalty of virtue.”
Cite this quote
APA
Potter, H. C. (n.d.). If there be no nobility of descent, all the more indispensable is it that there should be nobility of ascent, — a character in them that bear rule so fine and high and pure that as men come within the circle of its influence they involuntarily pay homage to that which is the one pre-eminent distinction, the royalty of virtue. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30323-if-there-be-no-nobility-of-descent-all/
MLA
Potter, Henry Codman. “If there be no nobility of descent, all the more indispensable is it that there should be nobility of ascent, — a character in them that bear rule so fine and high and pure that as men come within the circle of its influence they involuntarily pay homage to that which is the one pre-eminent distinction, the royalty of virtue.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30323-if-there-be-no-nobility-of-descent-all/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Potter, Henry Codman. “If there be no nobility of descent, all the more indispensable is it that there should be nobility of ascent, — a character in them that bear rule so fine and high and pure that as men come within the circle of its influence they involuntarily pay homage to that which is the one pre-eminent distinction, the royalty of virtue.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30323-if-there-be-no-nobility-of-descent-all/.