Quotes About Ethics

And once a first murder has been committed, the second becomes so much easier. The law against killing our fellow men and women is not there only to protect them, but also to protect us from our worst impulses.

Just because we are carriers doesn't mean that we have to live without conscience. The minute we forget that, the minute it's every man for himself... then all is lost. We've become the monsters they say we are.

Character is what you do when no one's looking.

We reform others unconsciously when we walk uprightly.

Things gained through unjust fraud are never secure.

It is a good thingTo escape from death, but it is not great pleasureTo bring death to a friend.

Profit is sweet, even if it comes from deception.

War never takes a wicked man by chance, the good man always.

The rewards of virtue alone abide secure.

I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare—I have no use for him, either.

War never slays a bad man in its course,But the good always!

No speech can stain what is noble by nature.

Money There's nothing in the world so demoralizing as money.

Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.

There's nothing in the world so demoralizing as money.

We should all have the freedom to die with majesty in an unworthy life which was subjected to sin and vanity.

Manuals of wisdom literature were taught to children and contained all the essentials for being a valued member of the community, including ethics and manners. This idea of virtuous behaviour equated to 'upholding Ma'at', and everyone in society, from the lowest peasant to the Pharaoh to the gods needed to uphold Ma'at to preserve order and harmony, and prevent chaos.

A good inclination is but the first rude draught of virtue, but the finishing strokes are from the will, which, if well disposed, will by degrees perfect it, as if all disposed will quickly deface it.

Were there but one virtuous man in the world, he would hold up his head with confidence and honor; he would shame the world, and not the world him.

Lawless are they that make their wills their law

If everyone lived their lives the way you lived yours, would the world be better or worse?

Acting is not the noblest profession in the world, but there are things lower than acting - not many, mind you, but politicians give you something to look down on from time to time.

It is not so much what we know that is important, as what we are and what we do.

Rationalizing is the bringing of ideals down to the level of one's conduct. Repentance is the bringing of one's conduct up to the level of his ideals.