Quotes About Ethics

Goodness is both an ethical and an esthetic standard.

he sees that it does not accord with the practices of the sage-kings of old and does not promote the benefit of the people in the world today. And so our teacher Mozi says, "Musical performances are wrong!

To lack a constant livelihood, yet to have a constant heart—only a scholar is capable of this.

Mengzi responded, "If Your Majesty regards them as excellent, then why do you not put them into practice?" The King said, "We have a weakness. We are fond of wealth.

The court is resplendent; Yet the fields are overgrown. The granaries are empty; Yet some wear elegant clothes; Fine swords dangle at their sides; They are stuffed with food and drink; And possess wealth in gross abundance. This is known as taking pride in robbery. Far is this from the Way!

It was a shameful thing that she had nothing of which to be ashamed.

It's not what a person says but what he does that reveals his true character.

Plato argued that good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around law. By pretending that procedure will get rid of corruption, we have succeeded only in humiliating honest people and provided a cover of darkness and complexity for the bad people. There is a scandal here, but it's not the result of venal bureaucrats. (1994) p. 99

with lawyers I always assume that they came by their wealth and position through avarice and by means nefarious:

Um bom polícia continua a ser um bom polícia, mesmo que seja um sacana nazi.

It seems to me that lawyers can justify almost anything to themselves as long as it's legal. But you can make anything legal when you put a gun to parliament's head.

Yes indeed, I thought, a neat piece of theatre. I was going to enjoy putting these people away. You can sometimes forgive a man who works a line, but not the ones who prey on the grief and suffering of others. That was like stealing the cushions off a pair of crutches.

When you're working for people who are mostly thieves and murderers, a little of it comes off on your hands now and then.

Crimes are committed when men take an idea that seems like a good idea and then can't think of good enough reasons why it might not be a good idea.

Religion long ago modified the character of ethical discussion by undermining the original egalitarianism.

A good company offers excellent products and services. A great company also offers excellent products and services but also strives to make the world a better place.

We agree that technology should be leveraged for the good of humanity.

I had a moral tutor, but never saw him (the only words of his I remember are 'The three pleasures of life -drinking, smoking, and masturbation')

felt personally betrayed that the man who had sung "Imagine no possessions" now had accumulated costly real estate and herds of prize cattle.

We don't need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don'ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever.

I stopped believing there was a power of good and a power of evil that were outside us. And I came to believe that good and evil are names for what people do, not for what they are.

If we wish to be good, we must first believe that we are bad.

Who touches money touches dirt; and the less religion has to do with it, the better.

For most people, whether religious or not, spirituality involves values and a principled lifestyle both of which are supported by specific spiritual practices including prayer or meditation.