He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues which it possesses.

To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue: gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have yet to be discovered.

I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul. I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money and every other good of man, public as well as private. This is my teaching, and if this is the doctrine which corrupts the youth, I am a mischievous person.

The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.

Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more.

And all knowledge, when separated from justice and virtue, is seen to be cunning and not wisdom; wherefore make this your first and last and constant and all-absorbing aim, to exceed, if possible, not only us but all your ancestors in virtue; and know that to excel you in virtue only brings us shame, but that to be excelled by you is a source of happiness to us.

The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration: this may be called perfect virtue.

Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.

Virtue debases itself in justifying itself.

It's my experience that folks who have no vices have generally very few virtues.

Danger alone acquaints us with our own resources, our virtues, our armor and weapons, our spirit — and forces us to be strong ...

Remember our words, then, and whatever is your aim let virtue be the condition of the attainment of your aim, and know that without this all possessions and pursuits are dishonourable and evil.

Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.

The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.

Silence is the virtue of fools.

A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For men's minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil.

Totalitarian tyranny is not based on the virtues of the totalitarians. It is based on the mistakes of the liberals.

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

All men are equal; it is not their birth,
But virtue itself that makes the difference.

Virtue is like a rich stone — best plain set.

It is an assured sign of a worthy and generous spirit, whom honor amends. For honor is, or should be, the place of virtue and as in nature, things move violently to their place, and calmly in their place, so virtue in ambition is violent, in authority settled and calm. All rising to great place is by a winding stair; and if there be factions, it is good to side a man's self, whilst he is in the rising, and to balance himself when he is placed.

Prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.