He never sought, and he did not greatly value, the praise of men.

He had a message to deliver, in which he profoundly believed, and he could no more go beyond it, or fall short of it, than Balaam when he was tempted by Balak.

Contemporaries without a hundredth part of his talent, even for practical business, attained high positions, or positions which the world thought high.
Carlyle did not envy them, was not dazzled by them, but held to his own steadfast purpose of preaching truth and denouncing shams.

His generosity to his own family was boundless, and he never expected thanks.

He was tender-hearted, forgiving, kind, in all great matters, whenever he had time to think.