Quotes about Ethics

religion either produces the very best people or the very worst.

The good, the true, and the beautiful are always their own best argument for themselves—by themselves—and in themselves.

The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.

First-half-of-life religion is almost always about various types of purity codes or "thou shalt nots" to keep us up, clear, clean, and together, like good Boy and Girl Scouts. A certain kind of "purity" and self-discipline is also "behovely," at least for a while in the first half of life, as the Jewish Torah brilliantly presents.

for Action and Contemplation puts it this way: "The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better." I

Gossip is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution.

While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Whoever today speaks of human existence in terms of power, efficiency, and historical tasks is an actual or potential assassin.

When we lack integrity, we use power to control. When we lead with integrity, we use power to bless.

There is explosive power in virtue.

Law always chooses sides on the basis of enforcement power. Morality and legal niceties have little to do with it when the real question is: Who has the clout?

What will be left of the power of example if it is proved that capital punishment has another power, and a very real one, which degrades men to the point of shame, madness, and murder?