Virtue Quotes - Page 33

Happiness, then, is co-extensive with contemplation, and the more people contemplate, the happier they are; not incidentally, but in virtue of their contemplation, because it is in itself precious. Thus happiness is a form of contemplation.

To know what virtue is is not enough; we must endeavor to possess and to practice it, or in some other manner actually ourselves to become good.

Virtue makes us aim at the right end, and practical wisdom makes us take the right means.

It is the repeated performance of just and temperate actions that produces virtue.

Virtue consists in doing our duty in the several relations we sustain, in respect to ourselves, to our fellowmen, and to God, as known from reason, conscience, and revelation.

Faith is a term that makes ignorance sound like a virtue

Moderation in the defense of liberty is no virtue.

Virtue, once bragged about, once you pride yourself upon it, ceases to be such.

True greatness is sovereign wisdom. We are never deceived by our virtues.

When the old poets made some virtue their theme, they were not teaching but adoring.

Count all th' advantage prosperous Vice attains, 'Tis but what Virtue flies from and disdains: And grant the bad what happiness they would, One they must want--which is, to pass for good.

Poets heap virtues, painters gems, at will, And show their zeal, and hide their want of skill.

Obstinacy alone is not a virtue.

In the end, we would like not to be guilty while at the same time being dispensed of the effort of purifying ourselves. Not enough cynicism and not enough virtue.

I always think loyalty's such a tiresome virtue.

So will I turn her virtue into pitch, And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all.

For in the fatness of these pursy times Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg.

There have certainly been many periods in history when virtue was more rare than under the Caesars; but there has probably never been a period when vice was more extravagant or uncontrolled.

I have seen men incapable of the sciences, but never any incapable of virtue.

Even virtue is fairer when it appears in a beautiful person.

The vices we scoff at in others laugh at us within ourselves.

Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is.

The simultaneous existence of opposite virtues in the soul like pincers to catch hold of God.

Patience is a virtue. (Tee) Excuse me, pot, could you not pick on the kettle? (Joe)

The extremes of vice and virtue are alike detestable, and absolute virtue is as sure to kill a man as absolute vice is.