The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one

The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one

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.

All virtue is summed up in dealing justly.

All virtue is summed up in dealing justly.

What shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in
the heart.

What shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in
the heart.

If we had to seek virtue outside of ourselves, that would assuredly be difficult; but as it is within us, read more

If we had to seek virtue outside of ourselves, that would assuredly be difficult; but as it is within us, it suffices to avoid bad thoughts and to keep our souls turned toward the Lord.

Virtue is insufficient temptation.

Virtue is insufficient temptation.

It is the stain and disgrace of the age to envy virtue, and to be
anxious to crush the read more

It is the stain and disgrace of the age to envy virtue, and to be
anxious to crush the very flower of dignity.
[Lat., Est haec saeculi labes quaedam et macula virtuti invidere,
velle ipsum florem dignitatis infringere.]

Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.

Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.

Man seems to be capable of great virtues but not of small virtues; capable of defying his torturer but not read more

Man seems to be capable of great virtues but not of small virtues; capable of defying his torturer but not of keeping his temper.