Quotes about virtue
884 quotes from 395 people
To be good and lead a good life means to give to others more than one takes from them.
Leo Tolstoy1828–1910The First Step (1892), Ch. VIIFor blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds,
And though a late, a sure reward succeeds.
William Congreve1670–1729The Mourning Bride (1697), Act V, scene 12I haven’t a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices whatsoever.
Mark Twain1835–1910“Answers to Correspondents”, The Californian, 17 June 1865. Anthologized in The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Other Sketches (1867)Man is a make-believe animal — he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.
William Hazlitt1778–1830Notes of a Journey through France and Italy (1824), ch. XVIForgive me my nonsense as I also forgive the nonsense of those who think they talk sense.
Robert Frost1874–1963Letter to Louis Untermeyer (July 8, 1915)A wolf was no less a wolf because a whim of chance caused him to run with the watch-dogs.
Robert E. Howard1906–1936“Beyond the Black River” (1935)Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.
John Wesley1703–1791Sermon 50 “The Use of Money” in The Works of the Reverend John Wesley, A.M. (1840) edited by John Emory, Vol. I, p. 446Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.
Woodrow Wilson1856–1924Address on American Spirit, Washington (13 July 1916)I mean to make myself a man, and if I succeed in that, I shall succeed in everything else.
James A. Garfield1831–1881A Dictionary of Thoughts: Being A Cyclopedia Of Laconic Quotations from the Best Authors of the World, Both Ancient and Modern (1908) by Tryon Edwards, p. 327Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
Samuel Johnson1709–1784The Rambler (1750–1752), No. 135 (2 July 1751)Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering other people’s weaknesses.
William Hazlitt1778–1830Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld’s Maxims (1823), No. 101So give to the poor; I’m begging you, I’m warning you, I’m commanding you, I’m ordering you.
Augustine of Hippo354–430Sermons, 61:13Economy is the art of making the most of life. The love of economy is the root of all virtue.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950Man and Superman (1903), p. 235When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950Caesar and Cleopatra (1898), Act IIIShould I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
