Virtue and Vice
‹ 1 · Outline · 3 ›
2.Character and the mingling of virtue and vice in persons
2a.Character as the source of action and as moral force
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 265Contrasts the hard, harsh man with the blameless of heart as regards reputation.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 12Scipio's grace, filial devotion, generosity and integrity are cited as his character.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 370A tree is known by its fruit; the good man brings forth good from the heart's treasure, the evil man evil.read · scan
- p. 395–396Faithfulness in little predicts faithfulness in much; unrighteousness likewise.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 6–7Contrasts Aristides' mild, noble character, acting for the state's good, with Themistocles' glory-seeking.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 78–79Contrasting characters of the two rivals: adventurous and subtle versus staid and upright; Aristides preferred for virtue over wealth.read · scan
- p. 100Aristides's equity and Cimon's moderation contrast with Pausanias's selfishness and imperiousness.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 181Volscians obey Marcius from admiration of his virtue rather than his authority.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 274The people follow Cato in silent respect for his virtue; Caesar disgracefully backs Clodius against Cicero.read · scan
- p. 314Caesar trusts Brutus' virtue and fears the pale, lean Cassius rather than luxurious men.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 132–133Lifelong preparation is a blameless character.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 200–201The suitor's family is praised for strict virtue, gravity, wisdom, integrity and modesty.read · scan
- p. 239Artemidorus's temperance, endurance and sincerity commend him.read · scan
- p. 258The aunt is a model of all virtue; the wife shows prudence and purity of heart.read · scan
- p. 292The young man is praised as learned, eloquent, innocent and wise.read · scan
- p. 305–307Fannia praised as pure, pious, wise, brave, a model for wives.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 245Whatever others do or say, I must be good, as the emerald keeps its colour.read · scan
- p. 251Judge men by the kind of soul: just, pious, not vexed at villainy, not enslaved to ignorance.read · scan
- p. 252–253Perfection of character is living each day as the last; one should flee one's own badness, not others'.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 216The faculty of counsel guarding assent is the source of merit, sorting good affections from ill like chaff.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 361–362Character precedes and determines the moral quality of acts.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 89More is praised as a man of singular virtue and clear conscience, purer than snow, of angelic wit.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 97–98Chrysostom is praised as peerless in wit, courtesy, friendship and generosity, first in all good.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 335–336Duncan's virtues will plead like angels against his killing; Macbeth is bound by kinship and hospitality.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 700–704Philaster is distracted when any fall from virtue; Cleremont calls his passion his virtue.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 380–381Natural greatness consists in qualities of soul and body such as virtue, enlightenment of mind, health and strength.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 21–22Aeneas's manners: piety, filial affection, care of his people, courage, gratitude and justice, the character shared with Augustus.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, On the Death of Esther Johnson [Stella]Vol. 27
- p. 128Honour, truth, liberality, good nature and modesty are the virtues she prized; she tolerated defects but not their failure; hated covetousness.read · scan
Sir Richard Steele, The Spectator ClubVol. 27
- p. 83Sir Roger's good sense, humor, and lack of sourness or obstinacy make him beloved.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 71–73Urges Franklin to show himself good and temperate, lover of justice, liberty and concord.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 176–177Addison's virtue is attested by the absence of any charge of crime from party resentment; he kept kindness for opponents like Swift.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 339–340Praises the man who, from youthful gladness, develops sound understanding and labors to do good and repair evil.read · scan
- p. 382–383The magistrate vouches for the maiden as good as strong: she tended her aged kinsman and bore her lover's death with quiet submission.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 48–50Epitaph praises an honest man warmed with virtue, friend of truth and guide of youth.read · scan
- p. 386–388Matthew praised as brave, kind, true, bright; catalogue of manly virtues.read · scan
- p. 413–415Worth and truth outlast fading beautyread · scan
- p. 469–472Worth in the mind endures where beauty decays.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 213The girls are presented as good, busy, cheerful and gentle; goodness is protected.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 433–434Scott's steady character: brave, quiet, composed, accommodating his noisy surroundings without spleen.read · scan
John Henry Newman, The Idea of a UniversityVol. 28
- p. 33–34Gentlemanly qualities such as generosity, forbearance, candour and consideration are listed as elements of character.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 66Virtue or vice is emitted every moment as a breath, not only through overt actions.read · scan
- p. 66Honest, natural actions are harmonious; character's force is cumulative, and past days of virtue lend majesty to the present actor.read · scan
- p. 68A private act today matters as much as the renowned steps of famous virtuous men.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CirclesVol. 5
- p. 158–159Character, unlike talent, makes a new road; the great man is not tormented by events, and true conquest makes black events fade.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 183Character, a latent power exceeding talent or eloquence, wins by superiority and not by force.read · scan
- p. 184–185Character, honesty and faith in a fact give men force in politics and trade beyond talent.read · scan
- p. 186Character is the moral order seen through an individual; pure men exert an irresistible moral force, serving as society's conscience.read · scan
- p. 187Character precedes action; feeble souls look to profit and events, and no change of circumstances repairs a defect of character.read · scan
- p. 187–188Rectitude is perpetual victory, shown as serenity; character is centrality and self-sufficiency, not reliance on events.read · scan
- p. 189Action must rest on real inner substance, not borrowed thought; reform without latent spirit inspires nothing.read · scan
- p. 193Divine persons are character born, endowed with insight and virtue.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 201The gentleman is defined by truth, self-command, benevolence and personal force rather than fashion's appearance; manhood first, then gentleness.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoliticsVol. 5
- p. 248Character and worth are the true power; we are haunted by conscience of our right to grandeur of character and are false to it.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 281Genius rises from moral rectitude; finer conscience confers insight into the nature of things.read · scan
- p. 286–287With age we value moral sentiment and the spirit of the man over particular talents and propositions.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, BeautyVol. 5
- p. 310Character gives splendor to youth and awe to age; gross natures seem impure however decorated.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 49Character portrait: intellectual power, high standards and perfectionism overlabouring his work.read · scan
- p. 116Her moral character was the noblest and best balanced Mill had met.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 172–173Milton embodies the austere type of goodness, summed up in 'Reverence thyself'; he chooses the object of his praise with love of virtue.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel PepysVol. 28
- p. 298–299Respectability contrasted with moral independence; Pepys was free of envy and recognized his betters in morals and art.read · scan
2b.The mixture of virtues and vices in one person
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 46Judgments of men: kind-hearted Tzu-ch'an; Kuan Chung's severity yet no complaint.read · scan
- p. 46–47Compares dishonest Duke Wen with shallow Huan; debate whether Kuan Chung lacked love by surviving his lord.read · scan
- p. 47Kuan Chung's greater benefit to mankind outweighs a private loyalty; a minister who recommended another is rightly called cultured.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 671–672Proficiency in body, precepts, concentration and wisdom lets a person bear small evils, like the Ganges unsalted by salt.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 447–448Barnabas is praised as a good man, full of the Spirit and faith.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 109Alcibiades is humbled by Socrates's virtue yet behaves with drunken insolence to others, like Anytus.read · scan
- p. 119Alcibiades' brilliant gifts are mixed with luxury, wantonness and lawlessness, his faults excused by the Athenians as youth.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 147–148Marcius's temperance, fortitude and justice are marred by vehemence, obstinacy and haughtiness.read · scan
Plutarch, Comparison of Alcibiades with CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 186Plutarch weighs the two men's faults: Alcibiades' flattery and falseness against Marcius' pride and oppression, judging violence worse than servility.read · scan
- p. 186–188Coriolanus refused bribes and was free of avarice; Alcibiades took bribes and lived in luxury; pride and self-will spoiled Marcius' virtues.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 202Compares Phocion and Demosthenes: Demosthenes resisted Philip's gifts but was corrupted by Persian gold and lacked martial courage, better at recommending virtue than practicing it.read · scan
Plutarch, Comparison of Demosthenes and CiceroVol. 12
- p. 260–261Contrasts Demosthenes's austere, temperate character with Cicero's love of mockery, which led him to indecency.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 333Antony in misfortune is nearly virtuous; few have strength to obey their judgment in extremity.read · scan
- p. 337–338Antony's good conduct in Greece gives way to his old dissipation in Asia.read · scan
- p. 338Antony's character portrayed: generous, credulous, repentant, prodigal, undone by frankness and flatterers.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 306–307Sigurd is portrayed as ideal hero: strong, fearless, eloquent, generous to friends.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 11–12Though valiant he was wise, meek as a maid, never spoke discourtesy: a perfect gentle knight.read · scan
William Caxton, Prefaces and EpiloguesVol. 39
- p. 9–11Women are said to be evil, shunning good and doing evil; men's ignorance shown when governed by them.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 30Valour and constancy of spirit are set against unbridled cruelty and crimes, which forbid ranking him among great men.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 135Praise of Tunstall's and Peter Giles's virtue, honesty and learning.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 33–34Madonna Porzia remarks that virtues are rarely at home with vices, trusting his honest looks.read · scan
- p. 36–37Porzia says his qualities are companied by virtues and not vices.read · scan
- p. 52Loyalty to a friend contrasts with his seduction of the young maid.read · scan
- p. 209He admires the friar's intellect but hates his vices, calling him a scoundrel.read · scan
Edward Haies, Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to NewfoundlandVol. 33
- p. 297–298Gilbert's virtues and faults are appraised: zeal, resolution, but temerity, presumption and prodigality with others' money.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 111One vicious mole or defect in a man corrupts his pure virtues in general censure, as a dram of evil.read · scan
- p. 144–146Virtue cannot cleanse our old stock; Hamlet calls himself proud, revengeful, ambitious, and all men arrant knaves.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 331Macbeth's nature is too full of human kindness; he would win wrongly what he wants holily.read · scan
- p. 373Malcolm says a good nature may recoil under royal command; angels are bright though the brightest fell.read · scan
John Donne, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 306–308Song says no woman is both true and fair; women's falseness is cynically asserted.read · scan
Ben Jonson, On ShakespeareVol. 27
- p. 55Shakespeare 'redeemed his vices with his virtues'; more in him to praise than pardon; honest, open, free nature.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 744Philaster praises Arethusa as fair and virtuous and Bellario's truth outweighing her faultread · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 759Antonio characterizes the cardinal as hypocritical and corrupt and Ferdinand as cruel, while the duchess is praised as virtuous.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 404–405Justice of manners is the virtue and injustice the vice; a righteous man is not made unrighteous by occasional passionate lapses.read · scan
George Wither, I Loved a Lass; The Lover's ResolutionVol. 40
- p. 331–333Women's vows called false and unconstant; her goodness matters not if not his.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 367His life is called variable yet virtuous, and his death exemplary.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 325No man wholly bad; great virtues and vices coexist, and good remains untouched in the depraved.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 108Damned spirits do not lose all their virtue; bad men's specious deeds and ambition varnished with zeal.read · scan
Abraham Cowley, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 368–369The dead friend's soul was large and humble, seat of all virtues, living with piety and a daily account.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 45Great men's vices excuse ours; Alexander's drunkenness made more intemperate than his chastity made continent.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 173Catalog of pilgrim characters (Honest, Fearing, Feeble-mind) each showing goodness despite weakness; readers urged to answer revilers with kindness.read · scan
- p. 173–175Weakness in grace yet true godliness; Ready-to-halt and Feeble-mind love one another.read · scan
- p. 259–260Self-will held a pilgrim may follow vices as well as virtues and still be saved.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 24–26Ventidius' rugged Roman virtue; Antony's virtue too narrow for his vast soul, bounding into vice and sharp remorse.read · scan
- p. 26Antony praised as bounteous and pitiful after victory, but lacking truth to his wife.read · scan
- p. 54–55Ventidius says Antony's virtues lie so mingled with his crimes that the gods could not choose to punish one and not reward the other.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 149–150She loves in him his father's virtues without his faults, not merely beauty.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 405–406The reasonable woman, free of pride, folly and passion, embodies balanced character.read · scan
- p. 415Virtues grow from passions; vice and virtue blend by degrees yet remain distinct; familiarity leads from endurance to embracing vice.read · scan
- p. 415No one is wholly virtuous or vicious; all are so in degree, and no one admits himself the extreme of vice.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 99Bacon's bribery is excused by his greatness; Bolingbroke says of Marlborough he forgot his vices.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 84Perfect character seems foppery, might be envied; a benevolent man may allow himself faults.read · scan
Christopher Smart, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 484–486Ode catalogs David's virtues: great, valiant, pious, good, clean, sublime, contemplative, serene, strong.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 505Characters weighed by virtues and faults: the Dean's wisdom and mirth, Burke's genius wasted on party.read · scan
- p. 505Portraits of friends' merits and faults: honest William's spontaneous goodness, Richard's provoking wit.read · scan
- p. 505Hickey's good nature and single failing as a special attorney; Reynolds gentle and wise.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 416Keppel is praised as one of the greatest and best men of his age, his virtue vindicated by justice.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 161–162Sir Oliver, moved by Charles's loyalty to the portrait, defends the 'dear extravagant rogue' as honest despite his profligacy.read · scan
- p. 162–164Charles's charity and benevolence are set against his rakish gaming and drinking; servants copy their masters' vices.read · scan
- p. 191–192Charles's follies judged leniently as a reforming rake, while Joseph's professed justice is hypocritical.read · scan
- p. 194–195Snake lives by his bad reputation and is ashamed of one honest act; Charles promises no reform yet calls Maria his guide from folly.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 50–52Epitaph honors husband, father and friend, foe to vice alone, whose failings leaned to virtue's side.read · scan
- p. 336–338The poet announces a subject of how Wisdom and Folly, Virtue and Vice blend together, with Genius confounding rule.read · scan
- p. 484–485Satirical epitaph says lack of wisdom and goodness denied respect; other squibs attack Wat and Mrs. Riddell.read · scan
- p. 486–488Lonsdale's guilt is mocked as monopolizing hell; Bushby is praised as an honest man, and Riddell as a man of worth.read · scan
Robert Southey, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 734Loves the virtues and condemns the faults of the dead.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 54–56His horror of fraud and oppression is compromised by unprincipled means that trouble his conscience.read · scan
- p. 341–342placeholderread · scan
- p. 358–359His character is a combination of virtues hard to find together, though not every particular was equally admirable.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, A Defence of PoetryVol. 27
- p. 356Great poets were of spotless virtue; alleged faults of Homer, Virgil, Bacon and others are dust in the balance.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 318Intellect often accompanies base character and servility, unlike moral greatness.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 365His character unites selfishness and generosity, perfidy and patriotic devotion, admired alike; his moral sense is both obtuse and acute.read · scan
- p. 379–380The Italian statesman combines dissimulation, treachery and cruelty with generosity and moderation; faults in one age accompany good qualities.read · scan
- p. 381The Italian statesman, traitor and hypocrite, still had civil courage, perseverance, fairness of intellect and gentle temper: vice and virtue mingled.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 200Good society is a compound of virtue, wit, beauty, wealth and power, though far from pure feeling.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 110–111Montaigne finds many men with single good qualities but no great man possessing many in excellence; the perfect man is lacking.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 160–161Gauchos praised as obliging and modest yet prone to robbery, bloodshed, drinking and gambling.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 8–9Swift's character: bullying inferiors, cowering before equals, servile to lords, malicious in epigram, in boisterous servility disguised as independence.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1074Duke's pride and jealousy contrasted with the duchess's easy kindness.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Twenty-Four Years AfterVol. 23
- p. 402George was ruined by every vice of a sailor's life, while the landlord physician shows ready beneficence despite his harsh reputation.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 138–139Women's wisdom, patience and purity redeem men's folly, obstinacy and cowardice.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1130–1132Father roused those in the borderland between vice and virtue, repressing the bad.read · scan
2c.Appearance versus reality of virtue
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 23Steadfastness is rare when nothing poses as something and want as riches.read · scan
- p. 26Rejects those eager but not straight, shallow but not simple, dull but not truthful.read · scan
- p. 35Plain speech may be true gentleman or mere seeming honesty.read · scan
- p. 40Eminent man loves right; the famous man's deeds belie his professed love.read · scan
- p. 45–46A man of worth can talk, but talkers are not always worthy.read · scan
- p. 59Fierce outside and weak core is like a thief; the pattern citizen is the bane of the noble.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 321–323Phaedra praises virtue; Nurse counsels concealment of faults, since a perfectly straight life is not for man.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 41Fewer people have virtue than wish to be thought virtuous; those vain of imagined virtue delight in flattery.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 126–127He can wear the appearance of virtue or vice as company requires; his real character differs from outward show.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 153–154The vulgar prevail because their corrupt views are heartfelt, while professed virtue is only from the lips.read · scan
- p. 161Cynic's authority rests on conscience: a pure life of labor for mankind lets him speak boldly, unlike armed tyrants who are evil.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 191The editor's note describes Regulus's uncommon blackness of character, though he had flatterers who praised his eloquence and virtue.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 87The Manichees' show of continency is a counterfeit virtue that ensnares souls unable to reach the depth of virtue.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 162–164He pretends his silence and generosity distinguish his character from his brothers' faults.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 222–223The Christian should be adorned with virtues, inwardly as outwardly.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 303–304He trusts Pagolo's apparent virtue, which is feigned.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of BookesVol. 32
- p. 98Guicciardini's corrupt view may reflect judging others by himself; some men escape universal corruption.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 368A horse-thief gains trust by fair speech and jesting confession; reputation deceives.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 191–192The lover laments that virtue is not treasured, and thought her beauty angelic but her works those of a mere woman.read · scan
- p. 329Lothario praises Camilla as the pattern of modesty and virtue while betraying her and Anselmo.read · scan
- p. 339Camilla is praised as the crown of good women and pattern of chastity, a new Penelope, while playing a false part.read · scan
- p. 351Anselmo's confidence in Camilla's virtue blinds him while she is disloyal.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 64Formalists feign sufficiency and hide ignorance as judgment, like a secretly bankrupt man upholding credit.read · scan
- p. 99Hidden virtues bring fortune, while overt virtues bring praise; the able man is made by exercised fortune.read · scan
- p. 104–106Virtue is like a rich stone best plainly set; very beautiful persons seldom greatly virtuous, though beauty makes virtue shine and vices blush.read · scan
- p. 124A merely real man needs great virtue, since great virtue has occasion only rarely while small matters win commendation.read · scan
- p. 124–126Common people perceive only the lowest virtues and are taken by counterfeit resemblances of virtue.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 149–150Exhorts men to hide no vices, show worth, and live so as to find grace.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 162Hamlet says her act calls virtue hypocrite and makes marriage-vows false as gamblers' oaths.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 221France sees Cordelia as rich in virtue though poor, most choice forsaken.read · scan
- p. 221–224Cordelia sees the sisters' hidden cunning and faults; time will reveal what pledged cunning hides.read · scan
- p. 243–244Edmund's villainy contrasts with Gloucester's naive trust in the loyal and natural boy.read · scan
- p. 244–246Cornwall commends Edmund's supposed virtue, while readers know he is false.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 413Miranda holds that nothing ill can dwell in so fair a temple; Prospero charges guilt of conscience.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 688–690Galatea, overhearing, calls him a pernicious petticoat prince and vows to expose his sham virtues.read · scan
- p. 716–717Woodmen gossip about the loose morals of Megra and the reputed honesty of Galatea.read · scan
René Descartes, Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking the Truth in the SciencesVol. 34
- p. 51Those who truly care for the common good are virtuous in truth, not merely in appearance.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 304Eve's show of wisdom was mere appearance rather than solid virtue.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 359Most men admire virtue who do not follow her lore.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 214–216Sincere virtue is unboastful, tolerant and judges by deeds, unlike hypocrites who reconcile religion with vice.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 59–60We display calmness, generosity, truthfulness merely to attach them to our imaginary existence.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 281–282Loose lives make the pilgrim's name stink; many merely declare themselves strangers to pilgrimage.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 172–174Theseus asks why a wicked heart shows no sure signs, and why noble mien hides impiety.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 372–373A right moralist is great and good, rarely found; coveting or slandering neighbor's credit and trade disqualifies one as moral.read · scan
- p. 373Paying debts does not make a moralist if he debauches wives, rebels against father or wastes family estate.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 71Biography should show virtuous principles truly influenced him, contrasting cutthroats and monastic self-tormentors.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 179–180Addison's writings show purity, and his practice seemingly matched his professions, unlike many who merely praise virtue.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 208–209Distinction between being and appearing breeds pomp, knavery, ambition and jealousy.read · scan
- p. 226Society reduces virtue and friendship to appearance and mummery; honour without virtue, reason without wisdom.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 235The priest's virtue without hypocrisy and humanity without weakness, with conduct conformable to his speech, wins respect.read · scan
Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of MoralsVol. 32
- p. 319A cool observer may doubt true virtue exists anywhere in the world.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 127–128Joseph is praised as a man of sentiment while Charles is judged to have dissipated any inherited virtue; Rowley defends Charles's benevolent heart.read · scan
- p. 139–140Sir Oliver distrusts Joseph's universal good repute and his professed noble sentiments, and defends youthful imprudence in Charles.read · scan
- p. 172–173Charles jests about borrowing Joseph's morality; contrast of the frank rake and the hypocrite is dramatized.read · scan
- p. 173–174Sir Peter praises Joseph as a man of sentiment while Charles calls him too moral; irony as Joseph's hypocrisy is about to be exposed.read · scan
- p. 185–186Sir Peter calls the world damned wicked; Joseph praised as sentimental model while gossips seen as fiends.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 110–111Landlord judges honesty by conduct while professing friendship to honest men; the narrator notes his contradictions.read · scan
- p. 111Landlord says men are known by their actions: honest men drink without criticism, pay, avoid quarrels; but he favours knaves in practice.read · scan
- p. 307–308Debate over whether the friar's habit truly reforms a man's character ('the cowl does not make the friar', 'wolf changes its skin').read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 98Cinderella remains pious and good while the stepsisters are fair of face but vile of heart.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 419A sound heart instinctively knows what is good for it; shallow men are ruined by flattery like the Circe-draught.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 211–212True gentleman shown by real kindness, generosity and heroism, against false gentlemen who use politeness selfishly.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 280–281Character and being are preferred to performance and seeming; 'mere morality' is defended.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 382They hide virtues under vices; the churl says no, and serves you.read · scan
Robert Browning, A Blot in the 'ScutcheonVol. 18
- p. 392Tresham cannot believe a life can seem virtuous yet be so false; he calls Mertoun a slave of lust.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 365–366Reputation for good character on shore is no proof of conduct at sea, where he is master of all.read · scan
Ernest Renan, The Poetry of the Celtic RacesVol. 32
- p. 145Magical objects test character: a pot will not cook for a coward, a grindstone sharpens only brave men's swords.read · scan
2d.Character judged by company, age, rank or nation
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 235–236Loss of freedom diminishes virtue in servants.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 28Where a gentleman lives nothing can be low.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old AgeVol. 9
- p. 47–48Complaints about old age stem from character, not time of life; reasonable men bear it easily, churlish ones suffer at any age.read · scan
- p. 49–51Fools impute their own frailties and guilt to old age.read · scan
- p. 57Folly in age belongs to men of bad character, as wantonness belongs only to the bad among the young.read · scan
- p. 68Fretfulness and avarice in old men are faults of character, not of age; the absurdity of senile avarice.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 153Ill company corrupts; weak convictions are swayed by the uninstructed.read · scan
- p. 175–176Impure associates defile even the pure man.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 273She had wisdom, gravity, modesty and self-control beyond her years.read · scan
- p. 309The grandson keeps severe conduct amid a pleasure-loving household; sycophants contrast with him.read · scan
- p. 337–338Helvidius's virtues were veiled through fear of the times, and a judge's violence against a senator is deemed atrocious.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 214Be good while you live; live pure and just, not watching others' depraved morals.read · scan
- p. 265Men lacking one's principles cause trouble in shared life.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 165Bending doctrine to evil manners only lets men be evil more securely.read · scan
- p. 165Good men are corrupted by evil company and blamed for others' wickedness; in Utopia virtue is prized.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 223Sons sent to Italy return with atheism, vicious conversation and pride, worse men than they went.read · scan
- p. 226Idle serving-men are prodigal and thievish and corrupt young gentlemen.read · scan
- p. 277Commoners praised as merry, plain and friendly without craft, blamed for scurrility and ribaldryread · scan
- p. 310Italy's excellent soil contrasted with its inhabitants' wickedness; England's land good but people once called evil.read · scan
- p. 374Rich students study dice and trifles instead of learning, bringing universities into slander.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 332The narrator observes that a careless mistress makes her maids shameless and careless of reputation.read · scan
- p. 360Virtue, not birth, makes nobility; Fernando lacking it would be less noble than she.read · scan
Edward Haies, Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to NewfoundlandVol. 33
- p. 276Captain honest and religious yet commanding piratical men who followed their kind.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 281–283Goneril compares Albany to Edmund: 'the difference of man and man'.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 755–756Bosola's railing springs from lacking means to indulge the vices he condemns; the court is poisoned by bad example.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 868–871Lady warns Allworth against bad company and Wellborn's debauched manners; men resemble those they converse with.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 126When all tend to debauchery none seems to; the one who stops shows others' excess.read · scan
John Dryden, Preface to Fables, Ancient and ModernVol. 39
- p. 169–170Virtue preferred to nobility of blood in both Wife of Bath's Tale and Sigismonda.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 344–345Esteem no man for money; virtue is the just reason for respect; a man is valued for his goings.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, Hints towards an Essay on ConversationVol. 27
- p. 97Corruption of nobility and gentry by play, drink and vicious amours; ladies' company restrains immodest talk.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 160–161Johnson contrasts Wharton's impiety and profligacy with Addison's character, defending Addison's service under a bad man.read · scan
Thomas Gray, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 445–447Poverty confined their crimes as well as growing virtues, sparing them slaughter to a throne.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 341–342Farmers' openness and generosity contrasted with manufacturers' secrecy and exclusive corporation spirit.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 210–211Marlow is modest among virtuous women but has a different character among others.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 523–524Italians are luxurious though poor, vain though submissive, zealous yet untrue; low delights displace nobler aims.read · scan
- p. 526–527Swiss morals are low but sternly virtuous; French society is gentler but fosters follies and weak inner strength.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 397–398Rigid censorial virtue suits an old Cato, not young nobles; virtues suit persons and times.read · scan
- p. 404Ancestors' hard origins are mellowed over generations into virtue; lecturers are wicked panders to avarice and ambition.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 149–150Sir Oliver sees the household as a temple of dissipation, servants mirroring master.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 139–141An honest man is God's noblest work; cottage virtue surpasses palace, lordly pomp disguises wickedness.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 173Her undisciplined temper and hatred of cloistral rule corrupt her conduct toward the children.read · scan
- p. 314Depravity pervades his household; even children's hands are stained with blood.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 377–378Contrasts brave, faithful but cruel conquerors with polished, humane but cowardly, insincere conquered people.read · scan
- p. 378–379Shows how disgrace worsens moral character, as with a woman's single lapse versus a man's intrigues.read · scan
- p. 395The immorality of The Prince belonged to the age, not general depravity, though a blemish.read · scan
John Henry Newman, The Idea of a UniversityVol. 28
- p. 59Virtue and decency are everywhere in the minority, so wealth and station on their side are a gain.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, An Address Delivered before the Senior Class in Divinity CollegeVol. 5
- p. 26–27Character is always known; the good seek the good, the vile the vile.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 291–292Benedict refuses to be a circumstance; evil and good come from the Spirit, not from company or fortune.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 345Normans arrived worse men, acquiring vices with the Romance language; ferocious thieves whose descendants boast of their descent.read · scan
- p. 404Virtues of pirates gave way to those of planters, merchants and scholars; social talent and manners count.read · scan
- p. 451–452Its morality and patriotism are merely representative, not ideal; it taunts reformers until they triumph.read · scan
- p. 472Moral character, honesty in performance and loyalty underlie English greatness.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1253–1254The forest dweller becomes clean, grave, chaste and contented, freed from old sin.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 161–162Educated townsmen stained by sensuality, corruption and want of principle, unlike the Gaucho.read · scan
- p. 417–418Morality of the Tahitians judged creditable; dishonesty, intemperance and licentiousness reduced.read · scan
- p. 432Praises the missionaries' upright characters; reports past cannibalism among the natives.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 979–981Predicts her finer nature coarsening to her husband's level.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel PepysVol. 28
- p. 286He played the man in public employments amid a corrupt and idle period, doing much good as a subordinate.read · scan
- p. 301–302Pepys's moral decline from primness to Saturnalian manners; Coventry's influence keeps him honest and industrious; oaths broken and renewed.read · scan
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