Wisdom is oftentimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.
To keep your character intact you cannot stoop to filthy acts. It makes it easier to stoop the next time.
The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.
The high-spirited man may indeed die but he will not stoop to meanness. Fire though it may be quenched will not become cool.
The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it.