Quotes About Morality

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; Arm it in rags, a pygmy's straw does pierce it. None does offend, none- I say none! I'll able 'em.

The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance.

Dost think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale? (Twelfth Night)

To do a great right do a little wrong, And curb this cruel devil of his will.

Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile; Filths savour but themselves...

By that sin fell the angels.

I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly.

I will find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man.

Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. - Angelo, Act 2 Scene 1

Don't judge a man's conscience by looking at his face cause he may have a bad heart.

But virtue, as it never will be moved, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, So lust, though to a radiant angel linked, Will sate itself in a celestial bed And prey on garbage.

An overflow of good converts to bad.

I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly.

Men must learn now with pity to dispense; For policy sits above conscience.

Let her hang me: he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours.

Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition

The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.

O shame! where is thy blush?

Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile.

Thus I clothe my naked villainy with old odd ends, stolen forth of holy writ, and seem a saint when most I play the devil.

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices Make instruments to plague us.

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now (70) I am in this earthly world, where to do harm Is often laudable, to do good sometime

When he is best he is a little worst than a man, and when he is worst he is a little better than a beast.