Abraham Lincoln Quotes

Folks who have no vices have very few virtues.

No cowardice, no sin, no crime, no weakness - the rest will come of itself. . .

It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations.

Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.

Development is not that you make bridges, buildings or put marble floors in your house. Real development is building moral character of youth.

Virtue is an inner strength. It expands your nature.

Nobody should trust their virtue with necessity, the force of which is never known till it is felt, and it is therefore one of the first duties to avoid the temptation of it.

We are more tied to our faults than to our virtues.

The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.

Many men and women in the world demonstrate great willpower and self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh.

Character is the impulse reined down into steady continuance.

The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.

'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.

Virtue is a positive quality developed by taking a firm stand for the right in temptation, or by the suffering endured in consequence of wrongdoing.

Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to.

I have a lot of shortcomings. I'm aware of that. I work on those things.

... for it is the small temptations which undermine integrity unless we watch and pray and never think them too trivial to be resisted.

Like Daniel she enteres the lions' den, but lacking Daniel's pure and unblemished soul, Ada is spiced with the flavors of vice that make for a tasty meal. Pure and unblemished souls must taste very bland, with an aftertaste of bitterness.

Amiable weaknesses of human nature.

Blessed is he who has never been tempted; for he knows not the frailty of his rectitude.

Reflect upon the defects of your character: thoroughly realize their evils and the transient pleasures they give you, and firmly will that you shall try your best not to yield to them the next time.

We can all be good when we have no temptation or provocation to the contrary.

Virtues are dangerous as vices insofar as they are allowed to rule over one as authorities and not as qualities one develops oneself.

The weak-minded man is the slave of his vices and the dupe of his virtues.