Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

But courage without conduct is the virtue of a robber, or a tyrant.

Morality, taken as apart from religion, is but another name for decency in sin. It is just that negative species of virtue which consists in not doing what is scandalously depraved and wicked. But there is no heart of holy principle in it, any more than there is in the grosser sin.

Success gives the character of honesty to some classes of wickedness.

Should you be unfortunate enough to have vices, you may, to a certain degree, even dignify them by a strict observance of decorum;at least they will lose something of their natural turpitude.

If I am virtuous and worthy, for whom should I not maintain a proper concern?

What we take for virtue is often nothing but an assemblage of different actions, and of different interests, that fortune or our industry knows how to arrange.

It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.

Without Virtue there can be no liberty

A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous.

We have next to consider the formal definition of virtue.

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.

Honor is like the eye, which cannot suffer the least impurity without damage. It is a precious stone, the price of which is lessened by a single flaw.

... men of highest genius have been too frequently of extremely shaky morals.

Virtue is not always amiable.

There is no greater wealth than Virtue,And no greater loss than to forget it.

Be virtuous and you will be eccentric.

If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfil the requirements of that name?

To be good and disagreeable is high treason against the royalty of virtue.

We know that the exercise of virtue should be its own reward, and it seems to follow that the enduring of it on the part of the patient should be its own punishment.

I should wish to die if a man who is impure should parade his purity in front of me.

Tis certain that Morality is an indispensable Requisite of true Religion, and there can be none without it. But it would become the Pride and Ignorance of Pagans only, to magnify it, as the Whole of what is necessary.

If all men were just there would be no need of valor.

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

And that whole do-able/undo-able thing? Yeah. Need I point out that neither Ruth nor I have ever "done" anybody in our lives?

I believe in good, having morals, be a decent person.