Virtue, the strength and beauty of the soul,
Is the best gift of Heaven: a happiness
That read more

Virtue, the strength and beauty of the soul,
Is the best gift of Heaven: a happiness
That even above the smiles and frowns of fate
Exalts great Nature's favourites: a wealth
That ne'er encumbers, nor can be transferr'd.

All great virtues become great men.
[Fr., Toutes grandes vertus conviennent aux grands hommes.]

All great virtues become great men.
[Fr., Toutes grandes vertus conviennent aux grands hommes.]

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

Most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue.

Most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue.

The virtues of society are vices of the saint. The terror of reform is the discovery that we must cast read more

The virtues of society are vices of the saint. The terror of reform is the discovery that we must cast away our virtues, or what we have always esteemed such, into the same pit that has consumed our grosser vices.

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.

Virtue is not solitary; it is bound to have neighbors

Virtue is not solitary; it is bound to have neighbors

Virtue is more clearly shown in the performance of fine actions than in the nonperformance of base ones.

Virtue is more clearly shown in the performance of fine actions than in the nonperformance of base ones.