Gordon B. Hinckley Quotes

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

Virtue alone is sufficient to make a man great, glorious, and happy.

Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece - by thought, choice, courage, and determination.

There is but one pursuit in life which it is in the power of all to follow, and of all to attain. It is subject to no disappointments, since he that perseveres, makes every difficulty an advancement, and every contest a victory; and this is the pursuit of virtue.

Virtue is the desire of things honourable and the power of attaining them.

. . . Virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed . . . so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger.

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.

Great hearts alone understand how much glory there is in being good.

Piety and virtue are not only delightful for the present, but they leave peace and contentment behind them.

Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.

We often pray for purity, unselfishness, for the highest qualities of character, and forget that these things cannot be given, but must be earned.

May your mind be thoroughly impressed with the absolute necessity of universal virtue and goodness, as the only sure road to happiness, and may you walk therein with undeviating steps.

Without virtue, happiness cannot be.

Seek virtue and of that posest, to Providence resign the rest.

A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts.

Virtue is an inner strength. It expands your nature.

Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women.

Good character improves every aspect of a person’s life.

Assume a virtue, if you have it not. That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat; Of habits devil, is angel yet in this.

Virtue does not come from wealth, but wealth, and every other good thing which men have comes from virtue.

Your success stops where your character stops. You can never rise above the limitations of your character.

The happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue.

The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.