Tragedy of Philotas (Google Books ⧉, Amazon ⧉, Bookshop ⧉)

Middlemarch

CHAPTER XXXVI. "'Tis strange to see the humors of these men, These great aspiring spirits, that should be wise: .   .   .   .   .   .   .   . For being the nature of great spirits to love To be where they may be most eminent; They, rating of themselves so farre above Us in conceit, with whom they do frequent, Imagine how we wonder and esteeme All that they do or say; which makes them strive To make our admiration more extreme, Which they suppose they cannot, 'less they give Notice of their extreme and highest thoughts. —DANIEL: Tragedy of Philotas