Peter Kreeft Quotes

I have seen men incapable of the sciences, but never any incapable of virtue.

The only word for goodness is goodness, and it is not enough.

...virtue is not merely a state in conformity with the right principle, but one that implies the right principle; and the right principle in moral conduct is prudence.

Prudence as well as Moral Virtue determines the complete performance of a man's proper function: Virtue ensures the rightness of the end we aim at, Prudence ensures the rightness of the means we adopt to gain that end.

A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous.

We have next to consider the formal definition of virtue.

Character is in turn the enduring source of virtue. It stands by itself and excites admiration in others. It is not obedience to authority, and while it is often consistent with and reinforced by religious belief, it is not piety.

If the Coastal Republic had believed in the existence of virtue, it could at least have aspired to hypocrisy.

Worthy of honor is he who does no injustice, and more than twofold honor, if he not only does no injustice himself, but hinders others from doing any.

The order of nature [is] that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue.

Self-denial is not a virtue; it is only the effect of prudence on rascality.

[T]here is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists . . . an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.

Is not virtue a negation of becoming?

Virtue is not always amiable.

He cannot be vertuous that is not rigorous.

If any man should conceive certain things as being really good, such as prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude, he would not after having first conceived these endure to listen to anything which should not be in harmony with what is really good.

There is no greater wealth than Virtue,And no greater loss than to forget it.

To be good and disagreeable is high treason against the royalty of virtue.

It still remains true that no justification of virtue will enable a man to be virtuous.

Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness and yet live, his escape from death is mere good fortune.

The absence of vices adds so little to the sum of one's virtues.

So far as regards their moral character, the Finns have as little cause for reproach as any other people.

To do nothing evil is good; to wish nothing evil is better.