Virtue

The plastic virtues: purity, unity, and truth, keep nature in subjection.
~ Guillaume Apollinaire (Wilhelm-Apollinaris de Kostrowitzky), The Cubist Painters (1913). On Painting

To insist on purity is to baptize instinct, to humanize art, and to deify personality.
~ Guillaume Apollinaire (Wilhelm-Apollinaris de Kostrowitzky), The Cubist Painters (1913). On Painting

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.
~ William John Bennett, The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life's Journey (1995).

They are robbed of the oldest and most necessary wisdom of the race, which is that some things are worth fighting, and dying, for.
~ William John Bennett (on American children), Why We Fight: Moral Clarity and the War on Terrorism (2002).

Some girls walk home from an auto ride because they want to, some because they don't.
~ Captain Billy's Whiz Bang (April 1930), in Studies in American Humor. Volume III (January 1977); William Cole From Scatology to Social History: Captain Billy's Whiz Bang

The trouble with being virtuous is that you can't tell your friends about it afterwards.
~ Captain Billy's Whiz Bang (February 1924), in Studies in American Humor. Volume III (January 1977); William Cole From Scatology to Social History: Captain Billy's Whiz Bang

The idea of having pride, the idea of manners, I think is very, very important. There's just too little of it in the world and I think there are certain dignities in life to which we should all aspire.
~ Bill Bixby, interview with Yvonne-Wyatt Rees, The Incredible Success of Bill Bixby (c. 1980).

Allegories are things that Relate to Moral Virtues. Moral Virtues do not Exist, they are Allegories & dissimulations. But Time & Space are Real Beings: a Male & a Female. Time is a Man, Space is a Woman & her Masculine Portion is Death.
~ William Blake, from A Vision of the Last Judgment (c. 1810).

Jesus was all virtue, and acted from impulse, not from rules.
~ William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790-93).

The Villain at the Gallows tree
When he is doomd to die
To assuage his misery
In Virtues praise does cry.
~ William Blake, from The Rossetti Manuscript (aka MS. Book; c. 1793-1811). Satiric Verses and Epigrams. A Pitiful Case

You smile with pomp and rigor, you talk of benevolence and virtue; I act with benevolence and virtue and get murdered time after time.
~ William Blake, from Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion (1804).

The most difficult of all the virtues to cultivate is the forgiving spirit.
~ William Jennings Bryan, The Prince of Peace (lecture delivered on the Chautauqua circuit, starting in 1900).

Remorse is virtue's root; its fair increase
Are fruits of innocence and blessedness.
~ William Cullen Bryant, from Poems (1832 edition). Sonnet -- Mutation (written in 1824)

You cultivate the essential virtues: high purpose, intelligence, decency, humility, fear of the Lord, and the passion for freedom.
~ William F. Buckley, Jr., in National Review (23 April 1963).

Youth should heed the older-witted
When they say, don't go too far --
Now their sins are all committed,
Lord, how virtuous they are!
~ Wilhelm Busch, Pious Helen (Die fromme Helene) (1872).

Thrift is one of those commonplace virtues which by its homely familiarity is apt to breed contempt.
~ Willis H. (W.H.) Carothers, in The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Volume 87 (1920). Thrift in the School Curriculum

After all, the supreme virtue in all art is soul, perhaps it is the only thing which gives art a right to be.
~ Willa Sibert Cather, in the Nebraska State Journal (4 March 1894).

All great virtues bear the imprint of self-denial.
~ William Ellery Channing (D.D.)

All virtue lies in individual action, in inward energy, in self-determination.
~ William Ellery Channing (D.D.), in The Christian Examiner (September 1829). Remarks on Associations

Every development of my virtue makes me an ampler blessing to my race.
~ William Ellery Channing (D.D.), in The Perfect Life: In Twelve Discourses (1873). IV. The Father's Love for Persons

I see nothing worth living for, but the divine virtue which endures and surrenders all things for truth, duty, and mankind.
~ William Ellery Channing (D.D.), from The Works of William E. Channing, D.D., Volume II (1841). The Abolitionists. A Letter to James G. Birney

We can and do see in virtue an everlasting beauty.
~ William Ellery Channing (D.D.), from The Works of William E. Channing, D.D., Volume I (1841). Introductory Remarks (April 18th, 1841)

What's the good of hoarding gold?
Virtue is not bought and sold.
~ William Ellery Channing, the younger, from Thoreau, the Poet-Naturalist (1873). XIV: Field Sports. Country-living

For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds,
And though a late, a sure reward succeeds.
~ William Congreve, The Mourning Bride (1697). Act V, scene xii

An individual is a sacred mark,
Not to be pierced in play, or in the dark;
But public censure speaks a public foe,
Unless a zeal for virtue guide the blow.
~ William Cowper, from Poems by William Cowper of the Inner Temple, Esq. (1782). Expostulation

For when was public virtue to be found
Where private was not? Can he love the whole
Who loves not part?
~ William Cowper, The Task (1785). Book V. The Winter Morning Walk

Peace follows virtue as its sure reward.
~ William Cowper, from Poems by William Cowper of the Inner Temple, Esq. (1782). The Progress of Error

Virtue and vice had boundaries in old time,
Not to be pass'd.
~ William Cowper, The Task (1785). Book III. The Garden

Every vice was once a virtue, and may become respectable again, as hatred becomes respectable in war.
~ William James "Will" Durant, The Mansions of Philosophy: A Survey Of Human Life And Destiny (1929). Chapter V. Our Changing Morals

Virtue implies opposition or struggle. In man, the struggle is between reason and passion -- between right and wrong. To hold by the former is virtue, to yield to the latter is vice.
~ William Fleming, The Vocabulary of Philosophy, Mental, Moral, and Metaphysical (1856).

To raise the stumbling, Virtue came,
To help the soul to Heaven.
~ William Leonard Gage, from Verses (1870). The Three Words of Faith

It is in the disposition and view of the mind, and not in the good which may accidentally and unintentionally result, that virtue consists.
~ William Godwin, An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793).

Virtue is essential to human happiness.
~ William Godwin, The Enquirer: Reflections on Education, Manners and Literature in a Series of Essays (1797). Part I. Essay I: Of Awakening the Mind

Virtue may perhaps be defined, that species of operations of an intelligent being, which conduces to the benefit of intelligent beings in general, and is produced by a desire of that benefit.
~ William Godwin, An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793). Book I. Chapter III. The Moral Characters Of Men Originate In Their Perceptions

How next to impossible is the exercise of virtue! It requires a constant watchfulness, constant guard.
~ William Golding, Rites of Passage (1980). Colley's Letter

The vice is the habit of mental distraction; the virtue the habit of continuous attention.
~ Sir William Hamilton, 9th Baronet, from Discussions on Philosophy and Literature, Education and University Reform (1852).

Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a real confession of the deficiency it indicates.
~ William Hazlitt, Table-Talk, or Original Essays on Men and Manners, 2nd series (1824). On the Knowledge of Character

People do not persist in their vices because they are not weary of them, but because they cannot leave them off. It is the nature of vice to leave us no resource but in itself.
~ William Hazlitt, Characteristics: in the Manner of Rochefoucault's Maxims (1823).

The greatest offence against virtue is to speak ill of it.
~ William Hazlitt, in Sketches and Essays (1839). On Cant and Hypocrisy (written in 1828)

Every virtue has certain bounds, and when it exceeds them, it becomes a vice; for the last step of a virtue, and the first step of a vice, are contiguous.
~ William Jay, Sermons: By William Jay (1805). Mistakes Concerning the Number of the Righteous

And thus it is in every virtue; if you act up to every degree of it, the more happiness you have from it. And so of every vice; if you only abate its excesses, you do but little for yourself; but if you reject it in all degrees, then you feel the true ease and joy of a reformed mind.
~ William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1728). Chapter XI

He has not learnt the nature of piety, who thinks it too much to be pious in all his actions.
~ William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1728). Chapter V

The rewards of charity, piety, and humility, will be given to those, whose lives have been a careful labour to exercise these virtues in as high a degree as they could.
~ William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1728). Chapter III

A courageous endurance of suffering is probably the first form of human virtue.
~ William Edward Hartpole (E.H.) Lecky, History of European Morals, Volume I (1869). Chapter I. The Natural History of Morals

The virtue which is most conducive to happiness is plainly that which can be realised without much suffering, and sustained without much effort.
~ William Edward Hartpole (E.H.) Lecky, History of European Morals, Volume I (1869). Chapter I. The Natural History of Morals

There are two great departments of virtue: the impulsive, or that which springs spontaneously from the emotions, and the deliberative, or that which is performed in obedience to the sense of duty.
~ William Edward Hartpole (E.H.) Lecky, History of European Morals, Volume II (1869). Chapter V. The Position of Women

There is but one virtue: to help human beings to free and beautiful life; but one sin: to do them indifferent or cruel hurt; the love of humanity is the whole of morality. This is Goodness, this is Humanism, this is the Social Conscience.
~ J. William Lloyd

The roses of Beauty may fade,
But Virtue is always in prime.
~ William Maxwell, Poems By William Maxwell, Esq. (1816). Song

I am persuaded that he who is capable of being a bitter enemy can never possess the necessary virtues that constitute a true friend.
~ William Melmoth (the younger), The Letters of Sir Thomas Fitzosborne, On Several Subjects (1742). Letter X. To Phidippus

I am very sensible how much nobler it is to place the reward of virtue in the silent approbation of one's own breast, than in the applause of the world.
~ William Melmoth (the younger), The Letters of Pliny the Consul, Volume I (1746). Book I. Letter VIII. To Pompeius Saturninus

Learn to do without; there is virtue in those words.
~ William Morris, from Hopes and Fears for Art (1882). The Prospects of Architecture in Civilisation (lecture delivered at the London Institution, 10 March 1880)

[I]t is to me as though the brightest life of man would be but a dark track on the shining floor of heaven.
~ William Mountford, Euthanasy: Or, Happy Talk Towards the End of Life (1848). Chapter XXXII

And be on thy guard against the good and the just! They would fain crucify those who devise their own virtue -- they hate the lonesome ones.
~ Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Thus Spake Zarathustra (1885).

Uncommon valor was a common virtue.
~ Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz (of the Marines at Iwo Jima), (February-May 1945).

Be virtuous and you will be happy; but you will be lonesome, sometimes.
~ (Edgar Wilson) "Bill" Nye, Forty Liars, And Other Lies (1880).

The four cardinal virtues are, prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice.
~ William Paley, The Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy (1785). Book I. Chapter VII: Virtue

Virtue is infinitely various.
~ William Paley, Natural Theology: or, Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity (1802). Chapter XXVI: The Goodness of the Deity

Be not fond therefore of Praise, but seek Virtue that leads to it.
~ William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude (1693). Part II. Of Praise or Applause

Content not thy self that thou art Virtuous in the general: For one Link being wanting, the Chain is defective.
~ William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude (1693). Part I. Complete Virtue

Unless virtue guide us, our choice must be wrong.
~ William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude (1693). Part I. Respect

Virtue is not secure against envy. Men will lessen what they won't imitate.
~ William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude (1693). Part I. Detraction

Benevolence in greater matters takes a higher name, and is the queen of virtues.
~ William Pitt (1st Earl of Chatham), in Letters Written by the Late Earl of Chatham (1805). Letter V. Bath, Jan. 24, 1754

Virtue, the grand object in view, luminous as the meridian sun, shines resurgent on the mind, enlivens the heart, and heightens cool approbation into warm sympathy and cordial attention.
~ William Preston, Illustrations Of Masonry (1795 edition). Book I. The Excellency of Masonry Displayed. Section III

Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world.
~ William Saroyan, The Time of Your Life (1939 play).

The true nobility of men is virtue, and he is truly noble that is virtuous, be he born of high or low parents.
~ Sir William Segar, The Booke of Honour and Armes (1590).

All places that the eye of heaven visits
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens.
Teach thy necessity to reason thus;
There is no virtue like necessity.
~ William Shakespeare, King Richard II. Act I, scene iii

And, being rich, my virtue then shall be,
To say there is no vice, but beggary.
~ William Shakespeare, King John. Act II, scene i

Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,
Of habits devil, is angel yet in this.
~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet. Act III, scene iv

Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous,
there shall be no more cakes and ale?
~ William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night. Act II, scene iii

For it so falls out
That what we have we prize not to the worth
Whiles we enjoy it, but being lack'd and lost,
Why, then we rack the value; then we find
The virtue that possession would not show us
Whiles it was ours.
~ William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing. Act IV, scene i

From lowest place when virtuous things proceed,
The place is dignified by the doer's deed.
~ William Shakespeare, All's Well that Ends Well. Act II, scene iii

Is it a world to hide virtues in?
~ William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night. Act I, scene iii

Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time, in you?
~ William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night. Act II, scene iii

It is held
That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver.
~ William Shakespeare, Coriolanus. Act II, scene ii

O infinite virtue! com'st thou smiling from
The world's great snare uncaught?
~ William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra. Act IV, scene viii

There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
~ William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice. Act III, scene ii

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.
~ William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure. Act III, scene i

Why, this hath not a finger's dignity.
~ William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida. Act I, scene iii

Your If is the only peacemaker. Much virtue in If.
~ William Shakespeare, As You Like It. Act V, scene iv

Your virtue is my privilege: for that
It is not night when I do see your face.
~ William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Act II, scene i

Virtue may be considered as the only means of dispensing happiness, in proper portions, to every moment of our time.
~ William Shenstone, in Works in Verse and Prose, Vol. II (1764). Essays on Men, Manners, and Things. Of Men and Manners

Virtues, like essences, lose their fragrance when exposed. They are sensitive plants, which will not bear too familiar approaches.
~ William Shenstone, in Works in Verse and Prose, Vol. II (1764). Essays on Men, Manners, and Things. On Reserve

How wise are we in thought! how weak in practice!
~ William Shirley, The Parricide: or, Innocence in Distress (1739).

People who possess the most, speak least of their virtues.
~ William Gilmore Simms, Egeria: Or, Voices of Thought and Counsel for the Woods and Wayside (1853).

Tact is one of the first mental virtues, the absence of which is often fatal to the best of talents; it supplies the place of many talents.
~ William Gilmore Simms, Egeria: Or, Voices of Thought and Counsel for the Woods and Wayside (1853).

The true secret by which Virtue is kept in safety, is never to be forgetful of its weakness.
~ William Gilmore Simms, Egeria: Or, Voices of Thought and Counsel for the Woods and Wayside (1853).

No virtue can be thought to have priority
Over this endeavor to preserve one's being.
~ William De Witt (W.D.) Snodgrass, from After Experience: Poems and Translations (1968). After Experience Taught Me

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.
~ William (W.) Clement Stone

[V]ices carry their own penalties with them. ... Now, we never can annihilate a penalty. We can only divert it from the head of the man who has incurred it to the heads of others who have not incurred it.
~ William Graham Sumner, What Social Classes Owe to Each Other (1883). Chapter IX. On The Case Of A Certain Man Who Is Never Thought Of

It becomes every man in his station to acknowledge and praise virtue wheresoever he may find it, and to point it out for the admiration and example of his fellow-men.
~ William Makepeace Thackeray, from The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh (1840). Dedication

The wicked are wicked, no doubt, and they go astray and they fall, and they come by their deserts; but who can tell the mischief which the very virtuous do?
~ William Makepeace Thackeray, The Newcomes (1853-55). Chapter XX

Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the selection of right means for given ends.
~ William Whewell, The Elements of Morality, including Polity, Vol. I (1845). Book III. Chapter III. Virtues and Vices

[M]en of authority and influence may promote the cause of good morals. Let them in their several stations encourage virtue and discountenance vice in others.
~ William Wilberforce, A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes of This Country, Contrasted With Real Christianity (1797). Chapter VI

[Today] we accept, indeed regard as a platitude, an idea that Aristotle rejected, that someone can have one virtue while lacking others. For Aristotle, as for Socrates, practical reason required the dispositions of action and feeling to be harmonized; if any disposition was properly to count as a virtue, it had to be part of a rational structure that included all the virtues. This is quite different from our assumption [in the modern world] that these kinds of virtuous disposition are enough like other psychological characteristics to explain how one person can, so to speak, do better in one area than another ... [today] we do not believe in the unity of the virtues.
~ Bernard Arthur Owen Williams, Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy (1985).

In the long run, the public interest depends on private virtue.
~ James Q. Wilson, On Character: Essays (1995).

Authority without virtue is a very dangerous state.
~ (Bishop) Thomas Wilson, in Maxims of Piety and of Christianity (first published in 1781).

Charity and good-nature give a sanction to the most common actions; and pride and ill-nature make our best virtues despicable.
~ William Wycherley, in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Esq. in Prose and Verse (1728). Maxims and Reflections

Only that which does not teach, which does not cry out, which does not condescend, which does not explain, is irresistable.
~ William Butler Yeats