What is virtue but the Trade Unionism of the married?
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Build up virtue, and you master all.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Virtuous and vicious everyone must be; few in extremes, but all in degree.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Virtue would not go to such lengths if vanity did not keep her company.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The more virtuous any man is, the less easily does he suspect others to be vicious.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The door to virtue is heavy and hard to push.
—Chinese Proverb
I cannot love anyone if I hate myself. That is the reason why we feel so extremely uncomfortable in the presence of people who are noted for their special virtuousness, for they radiate an atmosphere of the torture they inflict on themselves. That is not a virtue but a vice.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart.
—Buddhist Teaching
Virtue without talent is a coat of mail without a sword; it may indeed defend the wearer, but will not enable him to protect his friend.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
Example is leadership.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Vice is a creature of such hideous mien… that the more you see it the better you like it.
—Finley Peter Dunne (1867–1936) American Author, Writer, Humorist
Virtue and decency are so nearly related that it is difficult to separate them from each other but in our imagination.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Some virtues are only seen in affliction and others only in prosperity.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.
—David Starr Jordan (1851–1931) American Zoologist, Educator, Peace Activist
A great deal of virtue, at least the outward appearance of it, is not so much from any fixed principle, as the terror of what the world will say, and the liberty it will take upon the occasions we shall give.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
Virtue is so delightful, whenever it is perceived, that men have found it their interest to cultivate manners, which are, in fact, the appearances of certain virtues; and now we are come to love the sign better than the thing signified, and to prefer manners without virtue, to virtue without manners.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
The rich man is always sold to the institution which makes him rich. Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
I would be virtuous for my own sake, though nobody were to know it; as I would be clean for my own sake, though nobody were to see me.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
Virtue is that perfect good which is the complement of a happy life; the only immortal thing that belongs to mortality.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
By what causes has so inconsiderable a beginning, as that of the colonies of New England, under such formidable, and apparently almost insurmountable difficulties, resulted, in so brief a period, in such mighty consequences? They are to be found in the high moral and intellectual qualities of the pilgrims: their faith, piety, and confident trust in a superintending Providence; their stern virtues; their patriotic love of liberty and order; their devotion to learning; and their indomitable courage and perseverance. These are the causes which surmounted every obstacle, and which have led to such mighty results.
—John C. Calhoun (1782–1850) American Head of State, Politician, Activist
A little integrity is better than any career.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
I think vital religion has always suffered when orthodoxy is more regarded than virtue. The scriptures assure me that at the last day we shall not be examined on what we thought but what we did.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.
—Buddhist Teaching
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