Virtue and Vice
‹ 9 · Outline · 11 ›
10.Virtue and vice in the public order
10a.Virtue as the foundation of the state and of public happiness
Aeschylus, The FuriesVol. 8
- p. 158–160Athena will root out the impious as a gardener, fostering the righteous race.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 266–267Man's skill leads now to evil, now to good; the lover of the wicked is outlawed while he who holds the laws stands high.read · scan
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 24Socrates urged each man to seek virtue and wisdom before private interests, and the state's welfare before its interests.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 188Removing taverns, stews and secret corners under everyone's sight removes occasions of vice.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 98–99Virtue grows in well-ordained societies; commonwealths nourish grown virtue but do little to mend the seeds.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 208–209Inquisitional rigor over books has not made Italy or Spain more honest, wiser or chaster.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written During the Civil War and the Protectorate, 1642-1658Vol. 4
- p. 80–81Liberty requires being first wise and good.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 342Nations decline from virtue, which is reason, and lose liberty.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 231Righteousness exalts a nation; pride, selfishness, oppression and envy spread with wickedness.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 268–269Prodigality and misconduct are public harms, frugality a public benefit; individual excesses are offset by others' good conduct.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 174–176France prostituted virtue; other nations founded freedom on severer moralsread · scan
- p. 200–201Moral sentiments suffer depravation from revolutionary doctrine.read · scan
- p. 205Daring, violent counsel is prized while humanity and compassion are ridiculed as superstition.read · scan
- p. 238–239Virtue and humanity are cherished by leaving free choice, even at some loss; reformers' language is called hypocrisy and fraud.read · scan
- p. 275Vices are the true causes of public storms; wise men remedy vices, not names or offices, since wickedness reappears in new forms.read · scan
- p. 317–318They expect security from virtues of returning despotism, as offspring of their popular vices.read · scan
- p. 360The tax on benevolence screened selfishness while burdening integrity, generosity and public spirit.read · scan
- p. 374–375Liberty without virtue is folly, vice and madness, without restraint.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 387–389She criticizes villagers who foul the water, each thinking only of present need and heedless of consequences.read · scan
Sydney Smith, Fallacies of Anti-ReformersVol. 27
- p. 251Utterance of fallacies signals insincerity and improbity; preventing them would purify public morals.read · scan
William Ellery Channing, On the Elevation of the Laboring ClassesVol. 28
- p. 325–327All human culture rests on a moral foundation of disinterested spirit and sacrifice to truth; intellect without moral power avails nothing.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's First Inaugural AddressVol. 43
- p. 226–227Asserts an indissoluble union in nature between virtue and happiness, duty and advantage, honest policy and public prosperity.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's Farewell AddressVol. 43
- p. 242–243Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.read · scan
- p. 243Providence connects a nation's lasting felicity with its virtue, though vices may make this impossible.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 527–528Public calamity brings both an augmentation of virtue and a far more general increase of crime.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Man the ReformerVol. 5
- p. 43Hopes each man will be brave, upright and honorable, making excellence easier for followers.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 66Praises the father's exalted public spirit and regard for the good of the whole, which kindled similar virtue in others.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 135True power lies in a stronger moral and more thoughtful state than others'.read · scan
10b.Virtue and vice in rulers, officers and men of influence
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 39Gentleman shapes the good in man; ruler's greed breeds theft.read · scan
- p. 42Upright life commands obedience unspoken; crooked life goes unheeded.read · scan
- p. 42–43Self-rule is the ground of governing.read · scan
- p. 65A prince's fault seen by all, and admired when he mends it.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 476–477Paul reasons of righteousness and self-control; Felix is terrified but corrupt.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 76His moderation and gravity contrasted with the vice let loose after him.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 100–102Generals corrupted by great authority; Aristides answers that the general's excellence is incorruptibility, not foresight of enemy plans.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 305–306Followers' extravagance, covetousness and debauchery bring blame on Caesar.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 28–30Heremod is a grief and burden to his people, urged to crime, while Beowulf seems kinder to all.read · scan
- p. 50Hrothgar's lesson on virtue: Heremod's blood-fierce mind and ungenerous pride against wisdom.read · scan
- p. 55–57Hygd is wise and generous, unlike the proud Thryth, who used wrath and lying to destroy men, unqueenly.read · scan
- p. 92His mildness and kindness are held up as the virtues of a hero-king.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 193The generous, upright vizier Fadl is beloved while the hateful vizier Mo'in is abhorred.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 173–174Kings are judged by virtue and courage, such as Henry a plain man of little courage.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 24–25A priest must be clean, since if gold rusts iron will; example matters more than rebuke.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 20Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, Theseus are admired for merit and capacity that turned opportunity to account.read · scan
- p. 59A prince should show greatness, courage, wisdom and strength, and avoid seeming fickle or irresolute.read · scan
- p. 65–66Caracalla's admirable soldierly qualities were undone by extravagant ferocity and cruelty.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 229Priests must have more than mean virtues; few are chosen so the order keeps its dignity.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 28Names the four vices of authority and shows that high place reveals a man's character for better or worse.read · scan
- p. 60Excessive self-love is a vice, especially evil in a servant of a prince or citizen of a republic.read · scan
- p. 60–61Self-lovers corrupt officers, pursuing petty ends against masters' great affairs; self-wisdom is depraved, like rats, foxes and crocodiles.read · scan
- p. 119The most honorable following advances virtue and desert, though in base times active men serve better than virtuous.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 373Malcolm claims to have every vice and none of the king-becoming graces: justice, temperance, courage, mercy.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 700Dion urges Philaster to embody virtue; Philaster is stirred by any fall from virtue.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 916Wealth must be cemented to honor by virtuous ways; Overreach's evil dealings are condemned.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 45Justice, mercy and self-sobriety are the attributes required to rule; one who cannot rule himself cannot rule others.read · scan
John Milton, Tractate on EducationVol. 3
- p. 237Statesmen unprincipled in virtue take flattery and tyrannous maxims for wisdom.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written During the Civil War and the Protectorate, 1642-1658Vol. 4
- p. 81–82Fairfax's unshaken virtue brings victory, while avarice and rapine share the land.read · scan
Andrew Marvell, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 374–376Cromwell praised as good, just and fit for highest trust, not grown stiffer with command.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 359–361Contrasts reign by birth with reign by merit and heroic qualities.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 7Danby's diligence, constancy and prudence praised; highest virtue is self-reliant.read · scan
- p. 7Moderation and steadiness of temper as English virtues required in a minister.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 345Virtue must guide choice; an able bad man is an ill instrument to be shunned.read · scan
- p. 353–354Covetousness makes officers prostitute the public for gain; able men should be just.read · scan
- p. 355Patience shines in men of government; pride and testiness prevent redress.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 377A useful knave is no more fit for office than a whore makes a good wife.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 427Only virtue in arts or arms made a prince the father of his people.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 152Loudoun's indecision is shown in months of delay of the packets, leaving passengers and merchants anxious.read · scan
- p. 152–153The general's indecision is satirized as St. George always on horseback, never riding on.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 273–274Frugality is a public virtue and prodigality a vice; rulers' own extravagance is the greater danger to the state.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 178–179Only rare supreme virtue would prevent talented men serving absurd projectsread · scan
- p. 229–230Power should be conferred on those with predominant active virtue and wisdom.read · scan
- p. 237The great need religious instruction against temptation and pride, to be bowed to moderation and virtue.read · scan
- p. 356–357The dignity of every occupation depends on the virtue exerted in it; great public qualities need force and scope.read · scan
- p. 357Magnanimity, liberality, fortitude, frugality and self-denial find their proper element in the provision and distribution of public wealth.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 155Young gentry waste estates on gambling, whoring and dissipation abroad, ruining country and tenants.read · scan
- p. 208–209Prince of Wales warned that dissipation will bring regret, as Henry V reformedread · scan
Sydney Smith, Fallacies of Anti-ReformersVol. 27
- p. 236–237Unproven allegations of individual virtue in men in power cannot justify dispensing with safeguards.read · scan
William Ellery Channing, On the Elevation of the Laboring ClassesVol. 28
- p. 318Party politics as tactics for spoils is debasing and opposed to high morality.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 388Characters of rulers sketched as vices: Maximilian's fickle rashness, Borgia's ambition and hatred; Italian political morality personified.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoliticsVol. 5
- p. 244One party has the best cause, the other the best men; leaders are corrupted by personality.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 411–412Lewdness, gaming, bribery, sycophancy and cheating among the rich few are instructive vices.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 220Even the wisest and most virtuous of rulers fell into tragic error.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 24The idle, careless second mate is despised; crew prefer an active, vigilant officer, kind but distant.read · scan
- p. 92The mate is honest and kind-hearted but too good for a merchantman; the captain energetic and driving.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1374–1376Satire of a venal politician's corruption, humbug and cant.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 187Charles charged with lewdness, superstition, cowardice and injustice, against the virtues of a wise, just prince.read · scan
10c.Machiavellian expediency: the seeming of virtue and the utility of vice
See also: Monarchy 5a
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 29Agathocles rose to sovereignty through wickedness and crime, his vices joined with great vigor of mind and body.read · scan
- p. 50Perfect goodness ruins a prince among the bad; he must learn to be other than good when necessity requires.read · scan
- p. 51Princes cannot possess all praised qualities; they must avoid vices that lose the state, and some seeming vices secure safety while seeming virtues ruin.read · scan
- p. 52Liberality practised for reputation ruins a prince; being called miserly is wiser and in time seen as liberal.read · scan
- p. 53Liberality is self-destructive for a reigning prince, breeding poverty or rapacity and hatred; miserliness is a vice that enables him to reign.read · scan
- p. 54A prince should not fear a name for cruelty when it keeps subjects united; Borgia's cruelty proved more merciful than Florentine leniency.read · scan
- p. 55–56Hannibal's cruelty made his other virtues effective; Scipio's easy leniency bred mutiny.read · scan
- p. 58Perfect practice of all virtues is hurtful to a prince; the appearance of virtue is useful.read · scan
- p. 62–63Temperate, just and gentle emperors mostly came to unhappy ends; Marcus was safe by hereditary right and reverence.read · scan
- p. 63–64Hatred arises from good actions as well as bad; virtuous conduct can ruin a prince with a corrupt supporting class.read · scan
- p. 77–78Men grow rogues unless under necessity to be honest; counsellors each study own advantage.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 215Utopians use evil men to abuse and rid the world of wicked people.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 168–169Rejects the European excuse of toleration of vice to avoid greater evils as preposterous wisdom.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 801–804Bosola calls the politician the devil's quilted anvil and confesses his base intelligencer's role, driven by gain.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 375Portrait of the self-serving politician: false, bribable, faithless to all parties, true only to himself.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 217Burke condemns weighing crime against advantage; tolerated criminal means become preferred to the highway of moral virtues.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 363–364Machiavelli is popularly execrated as the embodiment of evil, whose treatise professes wickedness openly as the axioms of political science.read · scan
- p. 364Macaulay finds the same obliquity of moral principle, indifference to treachery and dissimulation, throughout all Machiavelli's writings.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1372–1374The speaker professes belief in interest rather than principle.read · scan
10d.Decline and corruption of societies, orders and clergy
See also: Religion 10b · Wealth 13e
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 331–332Halitherses blames the cowardice of the people and the wooers' evil infatuation and wasting of wealth.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 59Moral decline: ambition, mastery and simplicity of old have degenerated; honeyed words and flattering looks seldom mean love.read · scan
Aristophanes, The FrogsVol. 8
- p. 449–451Corruption, treason and profiteering are denounced as vices barred from the sacred dance.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 604–605Exceedingly corrupt mortals cannot be moved by exhortation, so the age of corruption is unfit.read · scan
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 804–805When righteousness declines and wickedness grows strong, the Lord returns to set virtue on her seat again.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 231Fidelity, modesty, justice and truth have fled the earth for Olympus.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 25Avarice, envy and pride are named as the three sparks inflaming all hearts in Florence; few are just.read · scan
- p. 61Florentines are described as blind, covetous, envious and proud; Dante is warned to cleanse himself of their ways.read · scan
- p. 67Dante laments that upstart multitudes, sudden gains, pride and excess have corrupted Florence, asking if courtesy and valor survive.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 200Along the Arno virtue is hunted like a snake; inhabitants are likened to swine, curs, wolves and foxes.read · scan
- p. 200–202Romagna overgrown with venomous roots of vice where courtesy once lived.read · scan
- p. 208Lombardy once home of courtesy and valour now shuns the good; a few old men rebuke the age.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 332Humility and self-abasement earn Francis his reward; later friars, hungering for novelty, wander from the ruleread · scan
- p. 336–338Dominic's followers decline: the good crop becomes tares, and the papal see is basely filledread · scan
- p. 350–352Sober, composed, faithful old citizens praised against present luxuryread · scan
- p. 355–356Pride and grasping greed of the present clergy and upstarts undo earlier goodly deedsread · scan
- p. 377–378The prelates' luxury contrasts with apostles' simplicity.read · scan
- p. 379–381Wantonness and greed of monks decay the good beginnings of the orders; Dante asks the stars for virtue.read · scan
- p. 399Greedy wolves in shepherd's clothing; the martyr popes contrasted with avaricious successors.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 12The fat, hunting, well-dressed Monk shows worldly indulgence contrary to monastic discipline.read · scan
- p. 12–17Satire of the friar's venality and wantonness: arranging marriages, flattering wives, courting the rich rather than lepers.read · scan
- p. 26–28The corrupt Summoner is lecherous, drunken, and preys on young people, teaching men not to fear excommunication.read · scan
- p. 29His fraud, flattery and greed for silver expose corruption in the church.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 344–345A priest must be adorned with all virtues and be an example of good life.read · scan
- p. 354–355The priest's hands, mouth, body and heart ought to be clean and holy since he handles the Sacrament.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 208The Grail is withdrawn because the people of Logris have turned to evil living and do not worship rightly.read · scan
Martin Luther, Address to the Christian Nobility of the German NationVol. 36
- p. 285Rome is depicted as a market of cheating, lying, robbing, debauchery and contempt of God.read · scan
- p. 312Denounces avarice, knavery and worldly pride in the Roman Church.read · scan
- p. 314–315Covetousness of popes, bishops and doctors corrupts the clergy.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 338Rome's wickedness and worst examples are said to overflow into the world.read · scan
John Calvin, Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian ReligionVol. 39
- p. 31–32The clergy's real motive is gluttony and self-interest; their belly is their god and their zeal insincere.read · scan
- p. 35–38The private vices of multitudes generate public error, which is then received as law.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 218Prelates sought earthly authority more than Christ's lost sheep; the more virtuous, the more esteemed.read · scan
- p. 233–234Monks' covetousness and carnal designs led them to make their tenants' dwellings little better than brothels.read · scan
- p. 263–264Patrons' covetousness and bestowing benefices on bakers and grooms is criticized, likened to the pope's parasites.read · scan
- p. 267Contrasts old gluttony and prodigality of bishops with present frugality and charitable deeds.read · scan
- p. 267Covetousness of patrons and canons blamed for simony and abuse of church livingsread · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 79Contrasts an age of plain truth and honesty with present fraud, deceit and malice.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 162In gross times virtue must beg pardon of vice.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 762–764Bosola acknowledges his corruption and that place and riches are bribes of shame; the devil preaches.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 384Injustice, cruelty, profaneness, avarice and luxury in religious leaders are scandals showing insincerity.read · scan
- p. 385–386Uncleanness and avarice of priests discredited the Gentile clergy and weakened belief.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 340Early clergy earned reverence through examples of virtue, patience and humility, the qualities the ministry requires.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 394–395A life of charity, humility and Christian virtues, contrasted with the poorer conduct of many clergy.read · scan
- p. 406–407Herbert says the clergy's blameless life, humility and charity, not learning, will reform the laity's manners.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 72Greed and neglect of duty in the pastors are condemned.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 331Godly men yield their virtue and fame to lustful, godless women; Adam blames woman, Michael man's effeminate slackness.read · scan
- p. 331Might is called valour and heroic virtue; luxury, riot, rape and adultery follow.read · scan
- p. 331Great exploits without true virtue give way to surfeit and lust; justice, temperance, truth and faith forgotten.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 395Rome's decline from just, frugal, temperate conquerors to cruel, luxurious, effeminate rulers is recounted.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 313–314Casuists allow lust and check scruples; their lax opinions exceed bounds and corrupt morality.read · scan
- p. 314Jesuits and peoples are avaricious, ambitious, voluptuous; probability pleases the world.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 357–358Moral corruption in the houses of sanctity and books of theologians must be shunned like plague.read · scan
John Dryden, Preface to Fables, Ancient and ModernVol. 39
- p. 162–163Clergy's pride, avarice and ambition deserve satire; corruption of the best becomes the worst.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 30–31Luxury has grown so supported that it almost passes for virtue.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 80–81English clergy are more regular in morals than the French, who are dissolute and gain dignities by intrigue.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 223The itch to distinguish ourselves yields a few good things and many bad: virtues and vices, sciences and errors.read · scan
- p. 225Regard for virtue, manners, probity and duty disappears under despotism.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 182–183He sees southern vices and corruptions increased by the slave trade and idle living.read · scan
- p. 218Favor and prosperity corrupt the steady uprightness that persecuted predecessors kept.read · scan
- p. 237Laments decline from ardent love and heavenly-mindedness among professing Christians; calls for attending to purity of righteousness over worldly policy.read · scan
- p. 261Luxury and covetousness with their oppressions sow seeds of calamity; he longs that the faithful check them.read · scan
- p. 291–292Laments corruption of the world and of the channels of trade.read · scan
- p. 294–295Laments defect of virtue and piety and depravity among sailors.read · scan
- p. 301Laments degeneracy and corruption of sailors and the lamentable corruptions attending commerce across the seas.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 509Luxury destroys the rural virtues; the old man is brave in conscious virtue.read · scan
- p. 509–520Toil, care, tenderness, piety, loyalty and faithful love depart together with the emigrants.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 272Nobles' dissolute manners and support of licentious philosophy are counted as faults that helped ruin them.read · scan
- p. 278–279Burke asks whether the clergy were truly monsters of ambition and avarice, and says their improved conduct deserves praise.read · scan
- p. 279–280Few French prelates were depraved, some eminently holy; imperfect self-denial is human, and lesser virtues made others useful.read · scan
- p. 293Asks whether purchasers would be more laborious, virtuous and sober than the expelled possessors.read · scan
- p. 294Luxury and vice degrade those through whom money passes, unlike expenditure on learning and religion.read · scan
- p. 294–296Clerical proprietors are chosen for piety, morals and learning, and are held to decorum and gravity of manners.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 58–60Death, ashamed of a guilty crowd of clergy and thieves, seeks at least one honest man.read · scan
- p. 156–157Gentry indulge in drunkenness, debauchery, scandal, gambling and cheating; ladies backbite.read · scan
- p. 351–352Ridicules the clergy's vanity, hypocrisy and pettiness, and their pretence to sainthood.read · scan
- p. 353–354Attacks clerical hypocrisy, pride, theft of alms and rudeness, saying Holy Will should hang.read · scan
- p. 432–434Satire on the priest and the fevered daughter put to bed together.read · scan
Friedrich von Schiller, Letters upon the Aesthetic Education of ManVol. 32
- p. 218Lower classes fall into lawless savagery and the cultured into lethargy and depravity rooted in culture, so morals waver between perversion and savagism.read · scan
- p. 235–236Only agreeable-seeming virtues flourish under aesthetic rule, while vices compatible with graceful exterior are in vogue.read · scan
- p. 237The beautiful founds its sway on the ruins of heroic virtues.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 676–678Selfishness has replaced plain living and high thinking; poet begs Milton to give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 528–529Wickedness and folly increase together; plunder and extortion are practised from the plague itself.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, A Defence of PoetryVol. 27
- p. 345–346Lust, fear, avarice, cruelty and fraud characterized men in a time when the poetic principle had died and will was feeble.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Man the ReformerVol. 5
- p. 44Virtuous young men find lucrative employments blocked by abuses and must sacrifice youthful ideals.read · scan
- p. 44The vice is that no one acts for man, only as a fraction of man; all partake and none feels accountable.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 282Morality is the measure of health; loss of faith and the lucrative standard bring retrogression of genius.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 431Religion defined as doing all good and suffering evil rather than inflicting it; false position breeds cant, perjury and simony in clergy.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 114Sadly sees generous natures corrupted in the management of confusion.read · scan
- p. 114His virtue attains its height; corrupt regime of Henri III likened to rotten members with inveterate ulcers.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 446–447Higher classes live in open profligacy so respectable people cannot associate with them.read · scan
- p. 448Legal reform occurs but no moral reform; the man who tries to improve suffers persecution.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1051–1053Satire of an age of self-worship and betrayal: a lord praying to himself, a statesman leaking secrets, a physician blabbing.read · scan
- p. 1056–1057Speaker finds a nobler, better mind in fighting for the good; war redeems a land from gold-lust and ignoble peace, shown as moral awakening.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1074–1075Bishop's greed, vanity and envy of rival Gandolf undercut his religious office.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Twenty-Four Years AfterVol. 23
- p. 391–392The city passes from heaven-defying crime and ruffianism to soberness and morality.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 107–108Ambition, servility and self-assertion described as vicious motives for seeking ecclesiastical office.read · scan
- p. 126Nation is not vicious but childishly reckless, still capable of virtue as children are.read · scan
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