Quotes about Ethics
Don't imagine that something is good for you if, in pursuing it, you must break a promise, harm anyone else, lose self-respect, act hypocritically, or hide in shame.
— Marcus Aurelius
No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be good. Like gold or emerald or purple repeating to itself, "No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be emerald, my color undiminished.
— Marcus Aurelius
No religion, no Ethical philosophy is worth anything, if the teacher has not lived the life of an apostle, and been ready to die the death of a martyr.
— Marcus Aurelius
Never regard something as doing you good if it makes you betray a trust, or lose your sense of shame, or makes you show hatred, suspicion, ill will, or hypocrisy, or a desire for things best done behind closed doors.
— Marcus Aurelius
Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we're practically showered with them.
— Marcus Aurelius
If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it. For let thy efforts beIn everything always observe what the thing is which produces for thee an appearance
— Marcus Aurelius
Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy.
— Marcus Aurelius
I have no right to do myself an injury. Have I ever injured anyone else if I could avoid it?
— Marcus Aurelius
States will never be happy until rulers become philosophers or philosophers become rulers. —PLATO, The Republic
— Marcus Aurelius
Sayest thou unto that rational part, Thou art dead; corruption hath taken hold on thee? Doth it then also void excrements? Doth it like either oxen, or sheep, graze or feed; that it also should be mortal, as well as the body?
— Marcus Aurelius
He often acts unjustly who does not do a certain thing; not only who does a certain thing.
— Marcus Aurelius
Inquire of thyself as soon as thou wakest from sleep, whether it will make any difference to thee, if another does what is just and right. It will make no difference.
— Marcus Aurelius