What makes for a good house is not what gives it a striking appearance, but the solidity of the unseen foundation. Look out for this in other areas of life as well: for example, sincerity in speech and depth of mind do not get as much attention as eloquence and brilliance, but they are more solid. Cultivating truly solid qualities means forging social competition and a willingness to accept the lowest rung on the social ladder. These are the qualities of the most actual benefit to others. Cultivating these should be the main business of anyone truly devoted to helping others in public service, rather than just making a name for herself.
Michael LaFargue