Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Quotes

Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness.

Moral courage further demands that you assume the responsibility for your own acts.

There is not in all America a more dangerous trait than the deification of mere smartness unaccompanied by any sense of moral responsibility.

The duty of man is not a wilderness of turnpike gates, through which he is to pass by tickets from one to the other. It is plain and simple, and consists but of two points--his duty God, which every man must feel; and, with respect to his neighbor, to do as he would be done by.

The idea of duty--that recognition of something to be lived for beyond the mere satisfaction of self--is to the moral life what the addition of a great central ganglion is to animal life.

Ethics is in its unqualified form extended responsibility with regard to everything that has life.

It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice

For duty, duty must be done; The rule applies to everyone.

Do what's right and you'll please some of the people and astound the rest.

Know that morality is a curb, not a spur.

We talk so much about one's rights... so little about what is actually right.

What a massive responsibility, being a moral creature

We must hold a man amenable to reason for the choice of his daily craft or profession. It is not an excuse any longer for his deeds that they are the custom of his trade. What business has he with an evil trade?

We become responsible for the actions of others the instant we become conscious of what they are doing wrong and fail to remind them of what is right.

Duty is whatever opposes inclination.

Of a truth, Knowledge is power, but it is a power reined by scruple, having a conscience of what must be and what may be. . . .

He deserves praise who does not what he may, but what he ought.

Justice is the sum of all moral duty.

I think the greater responsibility, in terms of morality, is where leadership begins.

Men are more accountable for their motives, than for anything else; and primarily, morality consists in the motives, that is in the affections.

Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics.

Morality is not just any old topic in psychology but close to our conception of the meaning of life. Moral goodness is what gives each of us the sense that we are worthy human beings.

I try not to do anything that's immoral.

The important thing is to do the right thing. Then credibility will follow.

We have, all of us, our duties. Every action of our lives, and every word that we utter, will either conduce to or detract from the discharge of our duty.