That wealth and splendour have not the charms that you ascribe to them with the bulk of mankind, is evident even from the history of Monachism, one of the corruptions of christianity.

Cheesing means to shoot for the 9-ball (in 9-ball) before being on the 9-ball (i.e. shooting at the 1-ball to hit the 9-ball in). Basically if you can do it, you'll win the game (but perhaps not much respect).

He [Abraham Lincoln] leaves for America’s history and biography, so far, not only its most dramatic reminiscence—he leaves, in my opinion, the greatest, best, most characteristic, artistic, moral personality.

special envoy to the United Nations