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.

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

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

Fewer possess virtue, than those who wish us to believe that they
possess it.
[Lat., Virtute enim ipsa read more

Fewer possess virtue, than those who wish us to believe that they
possess it.
[Lat., Virtute enim ipsa non tam multi praediti esse, quam videri
volunt.]

Virtue cannot separate itself from reality without becoming a principle of evil.

Virtue cannot separate itself from reality without becoming a principle of evil.

Sell not virtue to purchase wealth.

Sell not virtue to purchase wealth.

He possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence; courage without ferocity; and all the virtues of man without his vices

He possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence; courage without ferocity; and all the virtues of man without his vices

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.

Virtue must be valuable, if men and women of all degrees pretend to have it.

Virtue must be valuable, if men and women of all degrees pretend to have it.