Quotes About Ethics

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?

Punishment is justice for the unjust.

Conscience and reputation are two things. Conscience is due to yourself, reputation to your neighbour.

Nothing is so much to be shunned as sex relations.

Remove prostitutes from human affairs, and you will destroy everything with lust.

Though defensive violence will always be 'a sad necessity' in the eyes of men of principle, it would be still more unfortunate if wrongdoers should dominate just men.

Unjust laws aren't laws at all.

You (God) have not only commanded continence, that is, from what things we are to restrain our love, but also justice, that is, on what we are to bestow our love.

The line, often adopted by strong men in controversy, of justifying the means by the end.

That clergyman soon becomes an object of contempt who being often asked out to dinner never refuses to go.

Avoid, as you would the plague, a clergyman who is also a man of business.

No one can harm the man who does himself no wrong.

We cannot both preach and administer financial matters.

One cannot use an evil action with reference to a good intention.

In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign. Secondly, a just cause. Thirdly, a rightful intention.

Because of the diverse conditions of humans, it happens that some acts are virtuous to some people, as appropriate and suitable to them, while the same acts are immoral for others, as inappropriate to them.

Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in circumstances confronting him.

Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.

Further, nothing, except sin, is contrary to an act of virtue. But war is contrary to peace. Therefore war is always a sin.

If you want to destroy any nation without war, make adultery or nudity common in the young generation.

I warn you against shedding blood, indulging in it and making a habit of it, for blood never sleeps.

Great praxis demands great piety.

A city for sale and soon to perish if it finds a buyer!

All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatred, friendship, anger, and pity.