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Quotes about virtue

884 quotes from 395 people

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I believe that love of truth is the basis of all real virtue, and that virtues based upon lies can only do harm.
Bertrand Russell1872–1970The Prospects of Industrial Civilization (1923)
- Truth & Lies
In matters of national security emotion is no substitute for intelligence, nor rigidity for prudence. To act coolly, intelligently and prudently in perilous circumstances is the test of a man — and also a nation.
Adlai Stevenson II1900–1965Radio address (11 April 1955); as quoted in The World’s Great Speeches (1999) edited by Lewis Copeland, Lawrence W. Lamm, and Stephen J. McKenna
- Character
- Wisdom
The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn’t the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.
John Lennon1940–1980Interview for KFRC RKO Radio (8 December 1980)
- History
- Responsibility
Inefficiency is a curse; and no good intention atones for weakness of will and flabbiness of moral, mental, and physical fiber.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919The Progressives, Past and Present (1910)
- Character
We may become the makers of our fate when we have ceased to pose as its prophets.
Karl Popper1902–1994The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945), Introduction
- Responsibility
‘Tis only noble to be good.
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson1809–1892Lady Clara Vere de Vere (1832), Stanza 7
- Character
For freedom is not the property of one generation; it’s the obligation of this and every generation. It’s our duty to protect it and expand it and pass it undiminished to those still unborn.
Ronald Reagan1911–2004Final speech as President (1989)
- Freedom
- Responsibility
Tolerance is the first principle of community; it is the spirit which conserves the best that all men think.
Helen Keller1880–1968Optimism (1903)
Pardon one offence and you encourage the commission of many.
PSPublilius Syrus101–101 BCSentences, Maxim 750
- Forgiveness
Cunning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass upon weak men in the same manner as vivacity is often mistaken for wit, and gravity for wisdom.
Joseph Addison1672–1719The Spectator, No. 225 (17 November 1711)
- Character
- Wisdom
Some virtues are only seen in affliction and some in prosperity.
Joseph Addison1672–1719The Spectator (1711–1714), No. 257 (25 December 1711)
We have an obligation to make things beautiful. Not to leave the world uglier than we found it, not to empty the oceans, not to leave our problems for the next generation.
Neil Gaimanborn 1960Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming (2013)
- Beauty
- Responsibility
One of the most evil of people is the two-faced person who shows one face to these people and another face to those people.
MMuhammad571–632Muwatta of Imam Malik, Speech, hadith 21
- Character
- Good & Evil
The writer’s responsibility is to increase, develop our senses, expand our vision, heighten our awareness and enrich our articulateness.
Anaïs Nin1903–1977The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 5, as quoted in Moving to Antarctica: An Anthology of Women’s Writing (1975) by Margaret Kaminski
- Responsibility
- Writing
The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else. If it had been possible he would have settled the matter otherwise, and without bloodshed.
Umberto Eco1932–2016“Why Are They Laughing In Those Cages?”, in Travels in Hyperreality: Essays‎ (1986), Ch. III: The Gods of the Underworld, p. 122
- Courage