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Quotes about virtue

884 quotes from 395 people

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We shall make mistakes; and if we let these mistakes frighten us from our work we shall show ourselves weaklings.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919National Duties (Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick) (1901)
- Courage
- Failure
The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919Speech before the Colorado Live Stock Association, Denver, Colorado (August 29, 1910); in The New Nationalism (1910), p. 52
- Nature
- Responsibility
We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919Nobel lecture (1910)
- Character
- Courage
Happiness can not come to any man capable of enjoying true happiness unless it comes as the sequel to duty well and honestly done.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919Address at the Prize Day Exercises at Groton School (1904)
- Happiness
- Responsibility
In private life there are few beings more obnoxious than the man who is always loudly boasting; and if the boaster is not prepared to back up his words his position becomes absolutely contemptible.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919National Duties (Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick) (1901)
- Character
- Pride
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
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,⁠—
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
Christina Rossetti1830–1894In the Bleak Midwinter (1872)In context
Philosopher, metaphysician,
Rhymer, brawler, and musician,
Famed for his lunar expedition,
And the unnumbered duels he fought,⁠—
And lover also,⁠—by interposition!⁠—
Here lies Hercule Savinien
De Cyrano de Bergerac,
Who was everything, yet was naught.
Edmond Rostand1868–1918Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), Act V: Cyrano’s Gazette, Scene VI, spoken by CyranoIn context
- Character
- Life & Death
What say you? It is useless? Ay, I know
But who fights ever hoping for success?
I fought for lost cause, and for fruitless quest!
Edmond Rostand1868–1918Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), Act V: Cyrano’s Gazette, Scene VI, spoken by CyranoIn context
- Courage
- Failure
I know you now, old enemies of mine!
Falsehood!
Have at you! Ha! and Compromise!
Prejudice, Treachery!…
Surrender, I?
Parley? No, never! You too, Folly,⁠—you?
I know that you will lay me low at last;
Let be! Yet I fall fighting, fighting still!
Edmond Rostand1868–1918Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), Act V: Cyrano’s Gazette, Scene VI, spoken by CyranoIn context
- Courage
- Enemies
You strip from me the laurel and the rose!
Take all! Despite you there is yet one thing
I hold against you all, and when, to-night,
I enter Christ’s fair courts, and, lowly bowed,
Sweep with doffed casque the heavens’ threshold blue,
One thing is left, that, void of stain or smutch,
I bear away despite you.
Edmond Rostand1868–1918Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), Act V: Cyrano’s Gazette, Scene VI, spoken by CyranoIn context
- Honor
- Pride
There are few things as nauseating as pure obedience.
Patrick Rothfussborn 1973The Name of the Wind (2007), Chapter 75, “Interlude—Obedience” (p. 593)
- Character
A country cannot subsist well without liberty, nor liberty without virtue.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778Often credited to Daniel Webster
- Liberty
What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778Emile: Or, On Education, book II
- Wisdom
Whenever the last trumpet shall sound, I will present myself before the sovereign judge with this book in my hand, and loudly proclaim, thus have I acted; these were my thoughts; such was I.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778Confessions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1765-1770; published 1782), Book I
- Character
- Writing