Virtue when concealed is a worthless thing.
[Lat., Vile latens virtus.]

Virtue when concealed is a worthless thing.
[Lat., Vile latens virtus.]

Virtue is insufficient temptation.

Virtue is insufficient temptation.

Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.

Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.

Ah, Eugénie, have done with virtues! Among the sacrifices that can be made to those counterfeit divinities, is there one read more

Ah, Eugénie, have done with virtues! Among the sacrifices that can be made to those counterfeit divinities, is there one worth an instant of the pleasures one tastes in outraging them?

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.

Virtuous people are simply those who have not been tempted sufficiently, because they live in a vegetative state, or because read more

Virtuous people are simply those who have not been tempted sufficiently, because they live in a vegetative state, or because their purposes are so concentrated in one direction that they have not had the leisure to glance around them.

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 bold, and goodness never fearful.

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

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.