Anne Fortier Quotes

People of noble character are afraid of keeping friendship with dishonorable people. But people of discreditable character consider friendship with the dishonorable as a blood relationship.

If thou takest virtue for the rule of life, and valuest thyself upon acting in all things comfortably thereto, thou wilt have no cause to envy lords and princes; for blood is inherited, but virtue is common property, and may be acquired by all; it has, moreover, an intrinsic worth, which blood has not.

Though virtue give a ragged livery, she gives a golden cognizance; if her service make thee poor, blush not. Thy poverty may disadvantage thee, but not dishonor thee.

You have to choose the best, every day, without compromise...guided by your own virtue and highest ambition

A perfect man would never act from a sense of duty; he’d always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute for love (of God and of other people) like a crutch which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times; but of course it is idiotic to use the crutch when our own legs (our own loves, tastes, habits etc.) can do the journey on their own.

To be fond of learning is near to wisdom; to practice with vigor is near to benevolence; and to be conscious of shame is near to fortitude.

Integrity is what you do when no one is watching; its doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage.

The world is ashamed of being virtuous.

It is a great deal easier for a man to find a pedigree to fit his virtues than virtues to fit his pedigree.

I started my life with a single absolute: that the world was mine to shape in the image of my highest values and never to be given up to a lesser standard, no matter how long or hard the struggle.

Virtue is the health of the soul.

Whatever any one does or says, I must be good; just as if the emerald were always saying this: "Whatever any one does or says, I must still be emerald, and keep my color.

The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.

The strongest passion which I have is honor.

Without virtue, happiness cannot be.

Anyone can forget about talent, but if you're a good person, your name will be remembered a long time.

As soon as she (woman) begins to be ashamed of what she ought not, she will not be ashamed of what she ought.

My confidence is that there will for a long time be virtue and good sense enough in our countrymen to correct abuses.

Rather suffer an injustice than commit one.

Virtue is not a thing you can have by halves; it is or it is not.

I must fight with my weapons. Not his. Not selfishness and brutality and shame and resentment.

If you are doing something for reward or punishment, you do not have morality.

Honour is manly decency. The shame of being found wanting in it means everything to us. Is this, then, the indefinable, the sacred thing?

A bad conscience is easier to cope with than a bad reputation.