Pastoral Resources

He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place.

He that is good, will infallibly become better, and he that is bad, will as certainly become worse; for vice, virtue and time are three things that never stand still.

We may eventually come to realize that chastity is no more a virtue than malnutrition.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

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

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

When one ceases from conflict, whether because he has won, because he has lost, or because he cares no more for the game, the virtue passes out of him.

Solitude can be used well by very few people. They who do must have a knowledge of the world to see the foolishness of it, and enough virtue to despise all the vanity.

Vice is its own reward. It is virtue which, if it is to be marketed with consumer appeal, must carry Green Shield stamps.

Here, again, as I conceive, gentlemen forget that this government is a republican one, resting exclusively in the intelligence and virtue of the People.

Nothing in our times has become so unattractive as virtue.

The machine has had a pernicious effect upon virtue, pity, and love, and young men used to machines which induce inertia, and fear, are near impotent.

Self-sacrifice which denies common sense is not a virtue. It's a spiritual dissipation.

People praise virtue, but they hate it, they run away from it. It freezes you to death, and in this world you've got to keep your feet warm.

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.

Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music.

Blushing is the color of virtue.

Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit.