Quotes About Ethics

Wrong views and wrong convictions can be the most devastating of all our delusions. Surely both Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot must have been convinced that they were right? And yet each and every one of us has that same dangerous tendency as they had: to form convictions, believe them without question and act on them, so bringing down suffering not only on ourselves, but also on all those around us. On

Buddha said: "Do not overlook negative actions merely because they are small; however small a spark may be, it can burn down a haystack as big as a mountain." Similarly he said: "Do not overlook tiny good actions, thinking they are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel.

Whatever we do, with our body, speech or mind, will have a corresponding result. Each action, even the smallest, is pregnant with its consequences. The results of our actions are often delayed. What you are is what you have been, what you will be is what you do now.

Have you so integrated it with your every thought, breath, and movement that your life has been transformed? Ask yourself these two questions: Do I remember at every moment that I am dying, and everyone and everything else is, and so treat all beings at all times with compassion?

Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.

We humans can spend our whole lives pondering the meaning of 'good' and 'evil,' but we will never be able to figure it out. The only thing that human beings can do is come up with a yardstick by which to measure good and evil.

Der Missbrauch der Sprache lässt Böses in die Seele

The law says you have the right to hold a nigger, but begging the law's pardon, it lies. . . Is everything right because the law allows it? Suppose they'd pass a law taking away your liberty and making you a slave?

The influence of the iniquitous system necessarily fosters an unfeeling and cruel spirit, even in the bosoms of those who, among their equals, are regarded as humane and generous.

A man with a particle of mercy in his soul would not have beaten even a dog so cruelly.

Is every thing right because the law allows it ? Suppose they'd pass a law taking away your liberty and making you a slave?

Many evil men are rich, and good men poor, but we shall not exchange with them our excellence for riches.

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.

A half truth is the worst of all lies, because it can be defended in partiality.

You can't learn too soon that the most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to expediency.

i told them that men and women are measured by their acts not by their swaggering speech or walk, or the money they have stashed between their legs.

And you challenged us to breathe in Bernard Haring's words: the materialistic growth--mania for more and more production and more and more markets for selling unnecessary and even damaging products is a sin against the generation to come what shall we leave to them: rubbish, atomic weapons numerous enough to make the earth uninhabitable, a poisoned atmosphere, polluted water?

Where there are many men without honor, there will always be some others who bear in themselves the honor of many men.

I will be angry until my dying day, Mr Catchpool. Greater sinners persecuting lesser sinners in the name of morality—that's something worth raging about.

I saw no need to upset the apple cart at work by pointing out that "He's my friend's son" is neither proof of innocence nor a viable defence.

One must stick by one's principles or else the fabric of society crumbles. If a child of mine deserved it, I would hang him myself.

When justice is deliberately distorted and denied harm is done.

There is a difference, Peter, between an unforgivable act and a person of unforgivable character.

Greater sinners persecuting lesser sinners in the name of morality—that's something worth raging about.