Quotes About Ethics

When men can no longer be theists, they must, if they are civilized, become humanists.

Unless the reformer can invent something which substitutes attractive virtues for attractive vices, he will fail.

It is better to catch the idol-maker than to smash each idol.

under the sway of social influence, teenagers don't disregard the issue of rules completely. In my experience they still think about it, but in the wrong way. Instead of reflecting on why we have rules, teens focus on trying not to get caught while breaking them.

humanity is a messy business, where knowing what is right doesn't necessarily preclude you from doing what is wrong.

Getting to a higher spiritual level is like increasing your credit score. You get a lot more points for sinning and repenting than if you have no credit history at all.

No one ever thinks their own behavior is immoral, only other people's.

I never lie for the sake of kindness," he murmured, smiling. "One of my many flaws.

Justine," Zoe said, "I don't want to curse anyone." "Of course you don't, you're much too nice. But I don't have that problem.

You're not worried about principles."Gabriel leaned closer, crowding her gently back against the column. His taunting whisper curled in her right ear like a wisp of smoke. "You're worried that you might do something naughty with me and enjoy it.

I've lowered my character with a great deal of unwholesome reading material.

You and I both know this doesn't have a damned thing to do with honor.

The way Everest is guided is very different from the way other mountains are guided, and it flies in the face of values I hold dear: self-reliance, taking responsibility for what you do, making your own decisions, trusting your judgment - the kind of judgment that comes only through paying your dues, through experience.

I'm a good, upstanding guy with moral values and core values.

Never underestimate the power of intrinsic values. They inspire every struggle for a better world.

It is possible that people who share core values will make choices along the same lines.

There's such cultural rot taking place, such a disintegration throughout our culture. Values, morality, you name it. Standards have been relaxed, and people are not being held to them. People's intentions, if they're said to be good and honorable, that's all that matters.

The dilemma for society is how to preserve personal and family values in a nation of diverse tastes.

I'm a traditionalist. I have certain values I live by.

The values of confidentiality of matters occurring before the grand jury is very important.

What are the values that give meaning? What is the line that you will never cross, because on this side you're good, and on this side you're evil.

There are some fundamental values it's impossible to be wrong about.

I'm in the camp that says that if you're to the right of South Dakota on anything, you should use that as a moment to recalibrate your core values.

I love the idea of a university as away from capitalist values, where people can do things that don't immediately have to pay their way. It's like a monastery in a way, and that beautiful refuge has been destroyed by dogma about what this stuff is for.