he said to himself , perhaps rather defiantly , that this consumptive jewish workman in threadbare clothing , lodged by charity , had the elements of greatness ; a mind energetically moving with the larger march of human destinies , but not the less full of tenderness for those nearby ; capable of conceiving and choosing a lifes task , yet capable too of the unapplauded heroism which turns off the road of achievement at the call of nearer duty .