Quotes About Ethics

Beings are the owners of their actions, the heirs of their actions; they spring from their actions, are bound to their actions, and are supported by their actions. Whatever deeds they do, good or bad, of those they shall be heirs.

Just as, when a cow to be slaughtered is led to the shambles, whenever she lifts a leg she will be closer to slaughter, closer to death; even so, brahmins, is human life like cattle doomed to slaughter; it is short, limited, and brief. It is full of suffering, full of tribulation. This one should wisely understand. One should do good and live a pure life; for none who is born can escape death.

The initial response the Buddha intends to arouse in us is an ethical one. By calling our attention to our bondage to old age and death, he seeks to inspire in us a firm resolution to turn away from unwholesome ways of living and to embrace instead wholesome alternatives.

Buddhism, with its non-theistic framework, grounds its ethics, not on the notion of obedience, but on that of harmony.

My parents made the decision not to hide reality from the kids. If that came on the news while we were eating dinner, they didn't jump up and change the channels to some whitebeard sitcom. It was discussed with the kids at a very early age. Early on, I had very strong views about wars, corruption, and what is now called environmentalism.

The death penalty is being applied in the United States as a fatal lottery.

I am still profoundly troubled by the war in Nicaragua. The United States launched a covert war against another nation in violation of international law, a war that was wrong and immoral.

Do not praise an undeserving man because of his riches.

Righteousness exalteth a nation.

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

You shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.

It is better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be stupid and speak lies.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Thou shalt not steal.

The greatest sin a man or woman can commit is the abuse of power.

I wasn't built to look the other way because the law demanded it. The law might be wrong.

My dad used to say, "Without your word, you're not a man."

A rabbit's foot may bring good luck to you, but it brought none to the rabbit.

DUTY, n. That which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.

You need to find a way to live your life, that it doesn't make a mockery of your values.

Three blind mice walk into a pub. But they are unaware of their surroundings, so to derive humour from it would be exploitative.