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Quotes about morality

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Priestley was the first (unless it was Beccaria) who taught my lips to pronounce this sacred truth — that the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.
Jeremy Bentham1748–1832“Extracts from Bentham’s Commonplace Book”, in Collected Works, x, p. 142
- Happiness
Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.
Jeremy Bentham1748–1832An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789; 1823), Ch. 1: Of the Principle of Utility
- Philosophy
Not even the apparently enlightened principle of the ‘greatest good for the greatest number’ can excuse indifference to individual suffering. There is no test for progress other than its impact on the individual.
Aneurin Bevan1897–1960In Place of Fear (1952), pp. 167-168
- Philosophy
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
The Bible (King James Version)Psalms (1611), Psalm 1:1 (KJV)In context
- Good & Evil
- Virtue
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
The Bible (King James Version)Proverbs 12:10 (KJV)In context
- Animals
- Good & Evil
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
The Bible (King James Version)Proverbs 14:34 (KJV)In context
- Virtue
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The Bible (King James Version)Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)In context
- Courage
- Good & Evil
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The Bible (King James Version)Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)In context
- God
My name is Legion: for we are many.
The Bible (King James Version)The Gospel of Mark (1611), Mark 5:9 (KJV)In context
- Good & Evil
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The Bible (King James Version)The Gospel of John (1611), John 1:4–5 (KJV)In context
- God
- Good & Evil
There can be no Good Will. Will is always Evil; it is persecution to others or selfishness.
William Blake1757–1827Annotations to Swedenborg (1788)
- Good & Evil
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars;
General good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer:
For art and science cannot exist but in minutely organized Particulars.
William Blake1757–1827Jerusalem The Emanation of The Giant Albion (c. 1803–1820), Ch. 3, plate 55, line 60
- Charity
When the stars threw down their spears,
And water’d heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
William Blake1757–1827The Tyger (1794)In context
- God
- Good & Evil
The right way to requite evil, according to Jesus, is not to resist it. This saying of Christ removes the Church from the sphere of politics and law.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer1906–1945The Cost of Discipleship (1937), “Revenge”, p. 141
Patient endurance of evil does not mean a recognition of its rights. That is sheer sentimentality, and Jesus will have nothing to do with it.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer1906–1945The Cost of Discipleship (1937), “Revenge”, p. 142
- Christianity
- Good & Evil