Quotes About Ethics

Betimes in the morning say to thyself, This day I shalt have to do with an idle curious man, with an unthankful man, a railer, a crafty, false, or an envious man; an unsociable uncharitable man. All these ill qualities have happened unto them, through ignorance of that which is truly good and truly bad.

He also that pursues after pleasures, as that which is truly good and flies from pains, as that which is truly evil: is impious.

We should listen only to those whose lives conform to nature. And the others? He bears in mind what sort of people they are—both at home and abroad, by night as well as day—and who they spend their time with. And he cares nothing for their praise—men who can't even meet their own standards.

This day I shalt have to do with an idle curious man, with an unthankful man, a railer, a crafty, false, or an envious man; an unsociable uncharitable man. All these ill qualities have happened unto them, through ignorance of that which is truly good and truly bad. But I

It would be wrong for anything to stand between you and attaining goodness—as a rational being and a citizen. Anything at all: the applause of the crowd, high office, wealth, or self-indulgence. All of them might seem to be compatible with it—for a while. But suddenly they control us and sweep us away.

Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself; How will this when it is done agree with me? Shall I have no occasion to repent of it?

On the occasion of every act ask thyself, How is this with respect to me? Shall I repent of it? A little time and I am dead, and all is gone. What more do I seek, if what I am now doing is work of an intelligent living being, and a social being, and one who is under the same law with God?

But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own

Fight to be the person philosophy tried to make you. Revere the

Su visión del hombre es pesimista, pues considera que sus pasiones son el factor principal de la corrupción del mundo, por lo que aconseja perseguir tan sólo aquellos fines que dependan de uno mismo.

el haber aprendido cómo hay que aceptar los aparentes favores de los amigos, sin dejarse sobornar por ellos ni rechazarlos sin tacto.

Injustice results as often from not doing as from doing.

The Stoics regarded speculation as a means to an end and that end was, as Zeno put it, to live consistently or as it was later explained, to live in conformity with nature.

No one can hurt me but myself, for no one else can make me forsake the good and embrace the bad.

When someone wrongs you, ask yourself: What made him do it? Once you understand his concept of good and evil, you'll feel sorry for him and cease to either be amazed or angry. If his concept is similar to yours, then you will be bound to forgive him since you would have acted as he did in similar circumstances. But if you do not share his ideas of good and evil, then you should find it even easier to overlook the wrongs of someone who is confused and in a moral muddle.

Don't give up if you fail to follow your principles — don't give up, but simply pick yourself up and return to them. Remember that these principles are in line with your true self, and what you fell to was not.

virtudes estoicas que debían regir su vida: sinceridad, sencillez y valor.

En cada una de tus acciones, hazte la pregunta ¿Cómo me va en eso?¿no tendré luego que arrepentirme de aquello? Dentro de poco habré muerto y todo se acabara ¿Qué mas puedo buscar, si obro al presente como un ser inteligente, sociable, relacionado, por igualdad de derechos con Dios?

Acostumbrarme a la idea de que es necesario corregir el carácter y vigilar las inclinaciones

As for that which is truly good, what can it stand in need of more than either justice or truth; or more than either kindness and modesty? Which of all those, either becomes good or fair, because commended; or dispraised suffers any damage? Doth the emerald become worse in itself, or more vile if it be not commended?

Do not feel qualms or despondency or discomfiture if thou dost not invariably succeed in acting from right principles; but when thou art foiled, come back again to them, and rejoice if on the whole thy conduct is worthy of a man, and love the course to which thou returnest.

In every action ask thyself, How does it affect me? Shall I regret it? But

To what use then am I putting my soul? Never fail to ask thyself this question and to cross-examine thyself thus: What relation have I to this part of me which they call the ruling Reason? And whose Soul have I got now? The Soul of a child? Of a youth? Of a woman? Of a tyrant? Of a domestic animal? Of a wild beast?

Let no one have the chance to accuse you, with any truth, of not being sincere or a good man: make sure that anyone taking this view of you is a liar. This is wholly up to you- who is there to prevent you being good and sincere? You must just decide to live no longer if you won't have these qualities. And reason too abandons the man who won't. p102