Famously Said Random quote

Quotes about virtue

884 quotes from 395 people

Most readBy personPage 24 of 59

The real test of a man is not how well he plays the role he has invented for himself, but how well he plays the role that destiny assigned to him.
Václav Havel1936–2011Disturbing the Peace (1986), Ch. 2: Writing for the Stage, p. 72
- Character
It contributes greatly towards a man’s moral and intellectual health to be brought into habits of companionship with individuals unlike himself, who care little for his pursuits, and whose sphere and abilities he must go out of himself to appreciate.
Nathaniel Hawthorne1804–1864The Scarlet Letter (1850), The Custom-HouseIn context
- Character
- Friendship
A gentleman is one who understands and shows every mark of deference to the claims of self-love in others, and exacts it in return from them.
William Hazlitt1778–1830The Plain Speaker (1826)
- Character
- Pride
One shining quality lends a lustre to another, or hides some glaring defect.
William Hazlitt1778–1830Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld’s Maxims (1823), No. 162
- Character
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. XVI
- Acting
- Character
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. 101
- Character
The way to procure insults is to submit to them. A man meets with no more respect than he exacts.
William Hazlitt1778–1830Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld’s Maxims (1823), No. 402
- Character
Decency is not news; it is buried in the obituaries — but it is a force stronger than crime.
Robert A. Heinlein1907–1988This I Believe: Our Noble, Essential Decency (1952)
- Journalism
It may be better to be a live jackal than a dead lion, but it is better still to be a live lion. And usually easier.
Robert A. Heinlein1907–1988Time Enough for Love (1973)
- Courage
- Life & Death
The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but him had fled;
The flame that lit the battle’s wreck,
Shone round him o’er the dead.
Felicia Hemans1793–1835Casabianca (1826)In context
- Courage
- War & Peace
Courage is grace under pressure.
Ernest Hemingway1899–1961
- Courage
Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.
Ernest Hemingway1899–1961Introduction to Men at War (1942)
- Courage
Bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the performance is left to the fighter’s honor.
Ernest Hemingway1899–1961Death in the Afternoon (1932), Ch. 9
- Art
- Honor
But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.
Ernest Hemingway1899–1961The Old Man and the Sea (1952)
- Courage
- Failure
The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.
Ernest Hemingway1899–1961A Farewell to Arms (1929), Book IV, Chapter XXXIVIn context
- Courage
- Life & Death