Quotes About Ethics

A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.

I hate nobody except Hitler--and that is professional.

I don't like mixing up moralities with mathematics.

the malice of the wicked was reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous;

We owe to the Jews in the Christian revelation a system of ethics which, even if it were entirely separated from the supernatural, would be incomparably the most precious possession of mankind, worth in fact the fruits of all other wisdom and learning put together. On that system and by that faith there has been built out of the wreck of the Roman Empire the whole of our existing civilization.

we must not let our standards be determined by the gentlemen of the oposition

Logic, like science, must be the servant and not the master of man.

If food is scarce, why isn't Gandhi dead yet?

I do not understand the squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favour of using poison gas against uncivilized tribes. It would spread a lively terror.

Christ's story was unequalled and his death to save sinners unsurpassed; moreover the Sermon on the Mount was the last word in ethics.

Rare and precious is the truly disinterested man.

The unnatural and increasingly rapid growth of the Feeble-Minded and Insane classes, coupled as it is with a steady restriction among all the thrifty, energetic and superior stocks constitutes a national and race danger which it is impossible to exaggerate. Winston Churchill in a letter to Prime Minister Asquith, advocating the forced sterilisation of disabled people

When we have degenerated, as we must eventually degenerate, when we have lost our intrinsic superiority…our morals will be gone, but our Maxims will remain.

Mankind has never been in this position before. Without having improved appreciably in virtue or enjoying wiser guidance, it has got into its hands for the first time the tools by which it can unfailingly accomplish its own extermination.

Better a Zero than a Nero.

Everything was duty. It was not merely that nothing else mattered. There was nothing else. One did one's duty as well as one possibly could, be it great or small, and naturally one deserved no reward.

When all was over, Torture and Cannibalism were the only two expedients that the civilized, scientific, Christian States had been able to deny themselves: and these were of doubtful utility.

The use of force for the waging of war is not to be regulated simply by firm character and text-book maxims.

Few facts are so encouraging to the student of human development as the desire, which most men and all communities manifest at all times, to associate with their actions at least the appearance of moral right.

the Chinese have a very peculiar code of ethics, which makes them regard it as a more dishonourable thing not to pay a gambling debt than to commit murder.

It is baffling to reflect that what men call honour does not correspond always to Christian ethics. Honour is often influenced by that element of pride which plays so large a part in its inspiration.

I think it is desirable that persons concerned with the administration of justice should carefully acquaint themselves with the nature and character of any punishments which they may be authorised to order.

No people respond more spontaneously to fair play. If you treat Americans well they always want to treat you better. 1943, 29 MAY

People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and to defy clamour are not fit to be Ministers in times of stress.