Quotes on Vice And Virtue

[I]f vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established.

Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.

Let grace and goodness be the principal loadstone of thy affections. For love which hath ends, will have an end; whereas that which is founded on true virtue, will always continue.

Good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue.

Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.

One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.

Every vice has its excuse ready.

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.

Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.

It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

It takes a vice to check a vice, and virtue is the by-product of a stalemate between opposite vices.

Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderate use rather than total abstinence.