These quotes by Emerson could almost stand on their own, if such a thing could be said. 

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. 

And this one:

 No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character.

Not that people cannot change, but there seems very little evidence that they will unless they – even in the minutest way – wish to do so.