Quotes about Ethics

The wicked fear the good, because the good are a constant reproach to their consciences. The ungodly like religion in the same way that they like lions, either dead or behind bars; they fear religion when it breaks loose and begins to challenge their consciences.

What is discovered may be abused, but that does not mean the discovery was evil.

Our Blessed Lord left the world without leaving any written message. His doctrine was Himself. Ideal and History were identified in Him. The truth that all other ethical teachers proclaimed, and the light that they gave to the world, was not IN them, but OUTSIDE them. Our Divine Lord, however, identified Divine Wisdom with Himself. It was the first time in history that it was ever done, and it has never been done since.

What the new morality resolves itself into is this: You are wrong if you do a thing you do not feel like doing; and you are right if you do a thing you feel like doing. Such a morality is based not only on "fastidiousness," but on "facetiousness." The standard of morality then becomes the individual feeling of what is beautiful, instead of the rational estimate of what is right.

Hunger is not just an economic problem. It is a moral and spiritual problem.

The mathematical method is disinterested in the efficient cause and the final cause or the goodness of a thing and it should not be so disinterested.

We hate others, and call it "zeal"; we flatter others because of what they can do for us, and call it "love"; we lie to them, and call it "tact.

Three dominant evils prevailed—clerical concubinage, simony, and corruption within the church.

We lose our souls not only by the evil we do but also by the good we leave undone.

Goodness by its nature is lovable and love finds it impossible not to pursue goodness.

Some faces are never so gay as when regaling a scandal, which the generous heart would cover and the devout heart pray over.

Just as there are those who believe we should change morality to suit our amorality, so there are those who believe we should change God to suit our godlessness.