Wilhelm von Humboldt Quotes

It is the function of vice to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.

Let us be true: this is the highest maxim of art and of life, the secret of eloquence and of virtue, and of all moral authority.

Crimes, like virtues, are their own rewards.

Honest men are the soft easy cushions on which knaves repose and fatten.

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.

Heaven takes care that no man secures happiness by crime.

Wise people, even though all laws were abolished, would still lead the same life.

This world is very good as if we do good deeds then we will get its fruits. World is bitter for those who are live their life with corruption or sins.

Combine the extremes, and you will have the true center.

In order to do good, a man must be good; and he will not be good except he have instruction by counsel and by example.

Regardless of what society says, we can't go on much longer in the sea of immorality without judgment coming.

The best men of the best epochs are simply those who make the fewest blunders and commit the fewest sins.

I do not like assassins, or men of low character.

Good men have the fewest fears. He has but one great fear who fears to do wrong; he has a thousand who has overcome it.

The better day, the worse deed.

Men are more moral than they think and far more immoral than they can imagine.

It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.

Therefore the great mediator of any community is human morality.

The only way to survive among the evil and corrupt is to be even more wicked and more corrupt than they are!

Men of most renowned virtue have by transgressing most truly kept the law.

… knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul

I myself have constantly refused to print anything that might countenance vice or promote immorality, though … I might have gotten much money.

Keep to the middle if you wish to keep moderation. The mid way is the safe way. Moderation abides in the mean, and moderation is virtue. Every abiding place outside the bounds of moderation is only exile to the wise man.

He is good and wise who always speaks the truth, acts on the dictates of virtue, and tries to make others good and happy.