Virtue and Vice
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3.Virtue for its own sake and its reward
3a.Virtue as its own reward
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 25–26Daily discussion of virtue is the greatest human good.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 37–38Notes that virtue is slighted by many as self-glorification, unlike friendship, whose utility all men agree upon.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old AgeVol. 9
- p. 60The best men seek something noble for its own sake and scorn pleasure, as Fabricius and Curius believed.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 20Worth of a man is valued above riches.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 82–83Virtue is the noblest divine good within reach, yet men covet power and immortality and place virtue last.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 200–201Panaetius says his speeches prove the honest and virtuous is to be chosen for itself; but his lack of martial courage and clean hands mars him.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 163A good man acts for the sake of doing right, not appearance; being good is itself the reward.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 192The reward of virtue lies in the silent approval of one's conscience rather than the world's applause.read · scan
- p. 209Aristo praised for temperance, piety, justice, fortitude, sincerity and caution; virtue is its own reward in conscience, not applause.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 248It is royal to do good and to be abused; the good and the just are with me.read · scan
- p. 253A good act is its own reward; do not seek reputation or return for it.read · scan
- p. 273Kindness done conformably to nature is content with the act itself, without recompense.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 201Chief mental pleasure comes from exercising virtue and a good conscience.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 103He shows disinterested virtue, seeking reward only from God and secretly wearing a hair shirt despite outward state.read · scan
Ben Jonson, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 297–299The ideal woman is wise, courteous, unproud, with each soft virtue; great minds need only virtue's applause.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 767Antonio says he serves virtue without wages; the duchess praises his worth as a complete man.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 51–53The Elder Brother says virtue sees by its own light; a good soul is secure, an evil one its own dungeon.read · scan
- p. 70–72Mortals are urged to love Virtue, which alone is free and can lift men above the spheres; Heaven itself would stoop to her.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 357–358Do good for good's sake, unseen, seeking neither praise nor reward; general virtue with a missing link is defective.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 381Noble minds rejoice in others' success and love virtue, taking satisfaction in seeing it rewarded.read · scan
- p. 381–382Good works are a rock; ill ones a sandy foundation; love virtue more than praise.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 272–273Virtuous acts, such as dying for the public good, cannot be explained by private interest alone.read · scan
- p. 275Pleasure in virtue is the reward of having been virtuous; loss of taste for goodness leaves a man wicked.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Education of the Human RaceVol. 32
- p. 202–203Heart now loves virtue for eternal rewards; spiritual exercise leads to loving virtue for its own sake.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 524–526Virtue alone is revered by the independent man, who fears only his own reproach.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 135–136Boatman refuses payment, saying 'we are placed here to help one another', with horror at profiting from charity.read · scan
- p. 136–137The driver, like the boatman, refuses reward, looking to a more distant recompense.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, An Address Delivered before the Senior Class in Divinity CollegeVol. 5
- p. 39–40Seek absolute worth beyond society's cheap standard of goodness; true virtue is silent, taken for granted, needing no praise.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 85–86Criticizes the view that virtue is rewarded by later worldly goods; insists good and bad are measured by the soul's standard, not market success, so virtue is its own compensation.read · scan
- p. 100There is no tax on the good of virtue, which is the incoming of God; the brave and wise are more a man.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, FriendshipVol. 5
- p. 116The only reward of virtue is virtue; God pays only in God.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, HeroismVol. 5
- p. 126–127The essence of greatness is that virtue is enough; poverty is its ornament.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 289Vulgarity is avarice of reward; the great man is transformed into his action, which bears its own fruit.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1003–1005Virtue seeks not glory but the going onread · scan
3b.Virtue as the path to happiness, peace and worldly success
See also: Happiness 6a
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 87Zophar promises security to the one who puts away iniquity, and doom to the wicked.read · scan
- p. 97–98The righteous holds on his way and grows stronger.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 145–146The blessed man delights in the law and prospers like a tree; the wicked are like chaff and perish.read · scan
- p. 288–289The upright, righteous, generous man who fears Jehovah is blessed, while the wicked perish.read · scan
- p. 304–305Contrasts the wicked, far from the law and from salvation, with lovers of the law who have peace.read · scan
- p. 309–311The righteous are kept from iniquity while those who turn to crooked ways are led off with evildoers.read · scan
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 17Virtue is not given by money; from virtue come money and every other good, public and private.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 619–620Mara's attacks are transformed into flowers by the Buddha's merit.read · scan
- p. 676Noble deeds of body, voice and mind are the true treasure, yielding blessing in the next life.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old AgeVol. 9
- p. 48–49Culture and the exercise of virtues are the best arms for old age; a well-spent life and virtuous memories bring delight.read · scan
- p. 67Influence in old age is the reward of honourable conduct earlier in life.read · scan
- p. 70What remains of life is what was gained by virtue and righteous actions.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 325Jove says it is virtue's work alone to stretch life's narrow span through fame.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 403–404Faithfulness in little is rewarded with authority over cities.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 172Moral self-improvement is the true pleasure.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 933–934Whoso does right, male or female, is rewarded; the evildoer is repaid in kind.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 204Their doctrine of virtue and pleasure is held the truest by reason unless inspired from heaven.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 9Virtue's ultimate aim is a voluptuousness assisted by virtue itself rather than baser sensuality.read · scan
- p. 10Virtue's pursuit is itself pleasant; its difficulties ennoble its joy, and contempt of death is its chief benefit.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 375Successful scholars' reward is called justly merited by their virtue.read · scan
- p. 468Quixote holds virtue will triumph over every danger and shine like the sun.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 96Those who value worldly vanities at their price and have a well-acted life face death without fear.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 165–166Sons of eminent merit and virtue are singled out and given a jewel.read · scan
Thomas Campion, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 286–287Uprightness and freedom from dishonest deeds give the man security against fate and fortune.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 727Philaster praises Bellario's virtue as outweighing all the wealth of kings.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 329Knowledge and virtue are greater blessings than riches, testimonies of God's love to mankind.read · scan
James Shirley, The Glories of Our Blood and State; The Last ConquerorVol. 40
- p. 349–350Only the actions of the just smell sweet after death.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written During the Civil War and the Protectorate, 1642-1658Vol. 4
- p. 78–79A young lady is praised for shunning the broad way and climbing the hill of heavenly truth.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 384Wisdom, patience and temperance bring lasting fameread · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 86–87Taking the believer's side makes one faithful, honest, humble, grateful, generous and truthful, at the cost only of poisonous pleasures.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 122–123Way is safe for the righteous but transgressors fall; few persevere to the mountains.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 430Virtue's reward is content, not bread or power; the knave deserves what his toil earns.read · scan
- p. 430Virtue's prize is the soul's calm sunshine; worldly rewards would destroy virtue or bring it no joy.read · scan
- p. 430Virtue is the only point where human bliss stands firm, gaining good without fall to ill.read · scan
- p. 430Nature connects man's greatest virtue with his greatest bliss.read · scan
- p. 440Virtue alone makes our bliss below; reason and passion answer one aim.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 71Franklin's success came from simple means: nature, virtue, thought and habit; frugality, diligence, temperance, modesty and disinterestedness.read · scan
- p. 86Franklin planned a book, The Art of Virtue, giving means to virtue; vicious actions are forbidden because hurtful, so virtue serves interest.read · scan
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingVol. 37
- p. 399Virtue brings more peace and favour than vice, and to a well-disposed mind every advantage favours virtue, regardless of divine providence.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 271–272The wicked man flees himself and seeks amusement; the just have inner serenity.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 211–212Treasures honestly gained bring sweet comfort; the plain ways of virtue bring happiness.read · scan
- p. 247–248Humility, industry and plain living bring more peace than aspiring to greatness and outward show.read · scan
Susanna Blamire, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 580Exhortation to live well so as to die calmly.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 318–320Beadsman counsels that man's worth lies in virtue, being just and kind, not rank or talent; vice brings wretchedness.read · scan
- p. 447–449It is good to be merry, wise, honest and true.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 663–664Gods reward fidelity and worth; fearless virtue brings gain.read · scan
William Hazlitt, Of Persons One Would Wish to Have SeenVol. 27
- p. 273–274Pope's advice to Cornbury to despise low joys and be virtuous and happy.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 70–71The obedient, modest girl shares her bread with the dwarfs and is rewarded with beauty, gold and a royal marriage.read · scan
- p. 71–72The rude, selfish, envious sister is cursed with ugliness and toads, while the kind girl is rewarded with gold.read · scan
- p. 104Wickedness and falsehood are repaid, while Cinderella's goodness is rewarded with marriage.read · scan
William Cullen Bryant, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1215–1217Counsel to live rightly so death is approached with unfaltering trust.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 90–91The moral sweet cannot be cut off from the sensual sweet; the body seeks power for its own ends rather than for virtue.read · scan
- p. 96–97A league between virtue and nature makes the world hostile to vice; right action is rewarded with equal sureness.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 215–216Ambitious youth will find fashion's gates open to courage and virtue; she believed dealing nobly with all makes them noble.read · scan
Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1057Those crowned with signal virtue are sadder and bear heavier cares, yet have special pleasures; virtue's higher being brings both burden and joy sustained by God.read · scan
Walt Whitman, Preface to Leaves of GrassVol. 39
- p. 404All vigorous, benevolent and clean actions are sure profit to the doer, whatever his station, in the universe's order.read · scan
3c.Virtue unrewarded or persecuted, and the doctrine of future recompense
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 79–80Job's consolation is that he has not denied the words of the Holy One.read · scan
- p. 98Such is the dwelling of the unrighteous who knows not God.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 155–156The wicked shoot at the upright, and falsehood, flattery and double-heartedness prevail while the godly fail.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 102–103Only the highest virtue and wisdom bring salvation from evil; otherwise death would benefit the wicked.read · scan
- p. 103–104Fate of souls depends on purity and just deeds in life.read · scan
- p. 108–109Exhorts obtaining virtue and wisdom in this life because the prize is fair and hope great.read · scan
- p. 109–110Soul adorned with temperance, justice, courage, nobility and truth is ready for its journey.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 210Catalogue of crimes damned below contrasts with the blessed fields of the good.read · scan
- p. 210Those admitted to bliss are patriots, priests of unblemished life, worthy poets, inventors and generous benefactors.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 312The dead are pledged in the grave for their past actions; Musa concludes indifference to the world is surest.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 383–386Those who sowed good works on earth now hold the harvest in heaven, treasures won in exile.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 91He tells children to stand firm to God when virtue is punished and vice rewarded.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 469–471Virtue is persecuted by the wicked through envy; the curate says his valour is hated by malignant men.read · scan
- p. 471Sancho says virtue cannot live where envy reigns.read · scan
Sir Philip Sidney, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 213–214Asks if virtue is called ungratefulness among the heavenly beauties.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 800Bosola praises Antonio as honest, faithful and excellent, whose virtue deserved better fortune, and condemns the flattering rogues.read · scan
- p. 801Bosola argues worth, not pedigree, matters; Antonio's fall accompanied by virtue, and merit can still raise a man.read · scan
- p. 853–854Integrity of life is what crowns the end beyond death.read · scan
William Drummond, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 327–328Virtue a poor idol tossed like a feather while vice is favored.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 297–298Remembrance of the last day makes us honest in the dark and virtuous without a witness.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 43–44Men confined by low-thoughted care ignore the crown Virtue gives her servants after mortal change.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Virtue given for lost revives like the phoenix, most vigorous when deemed inactive; its fame survives death.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 80Mortality or immortality of the soul must make an entire difference to morality.read · scan
Joseph Addison, The Vision of MirzaVol. 27
- p. 76Good men are distributed among islands according to the degree and kind of virtue in which they excelled.read · scan
Sir Richard Steele, The Spectator ClubVol. 27
- p. 85Strict honesty and regular behavior are obstacles to those who press through crowds for advancement.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 430Prosperous vice gains nothing virtue envies; fools think the good unhappy because accidents befall all alike.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 262–263Brutus's complaint that virtue is a shadow is answered by promised reward.read · scan
- p. 263Be virtuous first; reward comes after the contest, as victors are crowned after the games.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Education of the Human RaceVol. 32
- p. 191–192Virtue and vice seem not proportioned to goods of this life, which is a difficulty driving inquiry.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 373–374Live as those who never die; the future life depends on this life.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 291The moral sense equalizes and enriches all, even the slave, and makes nothing of loss or defeat.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 258Good works, endurance and suffering raise the sea-maid to the spirit world and to eventual soul.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 218–219Socrates, most virtuous man of his age, was condemned as a corrupter of youth; persecutors were not worse than common men.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1058–1059Notes that fortune does not track merit (fool prizes, knave raised, good fall), while urging that early love and truth endure and the heart stay kindly.read · scan
3d.The reward of virtue as a cold or disinterested principle
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 71Job is perfect, upright, turns from evil; Satan questions whether virtue is disinterested.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of BookesVol. 32
- p. 98Faults Guicciardini for never ascribing any action to virtue, religion or conscience, always to vicious motives or profit.read · scan
Ben Jonson, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 294–297Chastity from necessity or fear of penalty is worthless; he who abstains from love of goodness is crown-worthy.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 298–299Virtue as its own reward is a cold principle; Browne found moral honesty alone unstable against temptation.read · scan
- p. 303–304Browne says fear of Hell never kept him from sin; true virtue serves God from love and gratitude, not fear; fearers are slaves.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 387–388Honesty from necessity or fear of the magistrate is politic not moral; dishonest for gain is next to a robber.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 91Want makes it difficult to act always honestly; wealth thereby secures virtue.read · scan
Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of MoralsVol. 32
- p. 352Happiness principle erases the specific difference between virtue and vice, making virtue valued for profit rather than beauty.read · scan
- p. 363–364Even the consummate villain wishes to possess honesty, steadfastness and benevolence.read · scan
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