Quotes about Virtue

If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?

The Master said, I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue, would esteem nothing above it. He who hated what is not virtuous, would practice virtue in such a way that he would not allow anything that is not virtuous to approach his person. Is any one able for one day to apply his strength to virtue? I have not seen the case in which his strength would be insufficient. Should there possibly be any such case, I have not seen it.

Don't worry if you have no position: worry about making yourself worthy of one. Don't worry if you aren't known and admired: devote yourself to a life that deserves admiration.

The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.

The Master said: 'Artful speech and an ingratiating demeanour rarely accompany virtue.

The Master said, "The gentleman harmonizes [he] without being an echo. The petty man echoes [tong] and does not harmonize.

If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness.

When you make a promise consistent with what is right, you can keep your word. When you show respect consistent with good taste, you keep shame and disgrace at a distance. When he in whom you confide is one who does not fail his friends, you may trust him fully.

The Master was entirely free of four faults: arbitrariness, inflexibility, rigidity, and selfishness.

If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame. 2. 'If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good.

He said : Not to know the decree is to be without the means of being a proper man. 2. Not to know the rites is to be without means to construct. 3. Not to know words is to be without the fluid needful to understand men.

Very few go astray who comport themselves with restraint.