Quotes about Ethics

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

The man of wisdom is never in two minds about right and wrong; the man of benevolence never worries about the future; the man of courage is never afraid.

Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

The object of the superior man is truth.

The Duke of Shê asked about government. The Master said, When the near approve and the distant approach.

He whose wisdom brings him into power, needs Goodness to secure that power. Else, though he get it, he will certainly lose it.

I for my part have never yet seen one who really cared for Goodness, nor one who really abhorred wickedness. One who really cared for Goodness would never let any other consideration come first. One who abhorred wickedness would be so constantly doing Good that wickedness would never have a chance to get at him.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

You are there to rule, not to slay. If you desire what is good, the people will at once be good. The essence of the gentleman is that of wind; the essence of small people is that of grass. And when a wind passes over the grass, it cannot choose but bend.