Quotes About Virtue

The Devil never tempts us with more success than when he tempts us with a sight of our own good actions.

Greatness has nothing to do with results or with success.

There is one thing alone that stands the brunt of life throughout its course; a quiet conscience.

Success gives the character of honesty to some classes of wickedness.

unless wicked ideas take root in a naturally depraved mind, human nature, in a right and wholesome state, revolts at crime.

La felicidad hace buenos hasta a los malvados.

happiness makes even wicked men good, …

disinterestedness is the brightest ray in which a noble sword can shine.

it means resignation, madam, the first of all the virtues.

A good deed is never lost.

Ivrogne tant que tu le voudras ; tant pis pour ceux qui craignent le vin, c'est qu'ils ont quelque mauvaise pensée qu'ils craignent que le vin ne leur tire du cœur... Tous les méchants sont buveurs d'eau, C'est bien prouvé par le déluge.

that disinterestedness was the finest thing in the world.

In a democracy private citizens see a man of their own rank in life who becomes possessed of riches and power in a few years; this spectacle excites their surprise and envy, and they are led to inquire how the person who was yesterday very equal is today their ruler. To attribute his rise to his talents or his virtues is unpleasant; for it is tacitly to acknowledge that they are themselves less virtuous and less talented than he was.

I have heard of patriotism in the United States, and it is a virtue which may be found among the people, but never among the leaders of the people.

Has such been the fate of the centuries which have preceded our own? and has man always inhabited a world like the present, where nothing is linked together, where virtue is without genius, and genius without honor; where the love of order is confounded with a taste for oppression, and the holy rites of freedom with a contempt of law; where the light thrown by conscience on human actions is dim, and where nothing seems to be any longer forbidden or allowed, honorable or shameful, false or true?

To mimic virtue is of every age; but the hypocrisy of luxury belongs more particularly to the ages of democracy.

If vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established.

Holiness doesn't require a halo, folded hands, or an otherworldly preoccupation.

Goodness, in their opinion, was not a virtue but merely spinelessness and fear disguised as humility.

The aunts tried to encourage her not to be so good. Goodness, in their opinion, was not a virtue but merely spinelessness and fear disguised as humility. The aunts believed there were more important things to worry about than dust bunnies under the beds or fallen leaves piling up on the porch.

We always hear about the scandals of the few, but what of the goodness of the majority?

Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.

Epitaph, n. An inscription on a tomb, showing that virtues acquired by death have a retroactive effect.

Hypocrite, n. One who, professing virtues that he does not respect, secures the advantage of seeming to be what he despises.