Virtue and Vice
‹ 5 · Outline · 7 ›
6.The social and Christian virtues: charity, generosity, gratitude, mildness and forgiveness
6a.Charity and benevolence
See also: Charity 8c · Wealth 6b
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 119Job's oath of innocence: denies adultery, cruelty to servants, and stinginess to the poor and fatherless as iniquities.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 699–700The hare resolves to give his own flesh to any suppliant; the others offer their food, testing charity.read · scan
- p. 749–750Kassapa's compassion, mercy and kindness as motives of a worthy teacher, versus vanity in seeking delight.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 91–93Aeneas praises Dido's generous heart and pious mercy toward the abandoned.read · scan
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 508Love's traits enumerated: not envious, boastful, or provoked, rejoicing with truth.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 443–444Dorcas is full of good works and almsdeeds; Cornelius is devout and gives alms.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 277–279Caesar's courtesy at table and giving the shelter to the sick Oppius show good breeding and consideration for the weaker.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 181Aim to do beneficent deeds and cultivate tranquillity, rendering due to every relation of life.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 216Recommends the good man's life of just acts and benevolent disposition.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 883Charity to orphans and poor contrasted with miserliness.read · scan
- p. 884The steep path is freeing captives, feeding the hungry orphan and poor, and encouraging patience and mercy.read · scan
- p. 972Show kindness to parents, kin, orphans, poor, neighbours; God dislikes the proud, boastful and miserly.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 21–22He acts with charity and kindness to a destitute maiden, who promises repayment.read · scan
- p. 24Verse urges sowing good even on unworthy soil.read · scan
- p. 106The narrator's compassion is rewarded, and she pities the sisters even while whipping them.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 264–265Love is described as prudent, humble, sober, chaste, patient and steadfast.read · scan
John Calvin, Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian ReligionVol. 39
- p. 43–45The reformers' lives exemplify chastity, liberality, mercy, temperance and patience.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 131Maritornes, despite her trade, shows Christian charity by paying for Sancho's wine out of her own purse.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 31–32Goodness, the habit of seeking men's weal, is the greatest virtue, the character of the Deity; without it man is vermin.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 399Gonzalo's charity and gentleness rescue the exiles.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 397Herbert shows humility and compassion, hearing a frightened poor woman patiently, comforting her and relieving her with money.read · scan
- p. 407Charity is praised as the top of Christian virtues, and he practises it without limit.read · scan
- p. 416–418Walton praises him as a saint, full of alms-deeds and humility, dying without an enemy.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 310Charity without which faith is a mere notion; Browne's merciful disposition, free of antipathies, borrowed from his parents.read · scan
- p. 316–317Treats charity as a virtue suited to cold, humble natures; observes that censure and praise merely reflect self-love, and that zealous men often lack charity.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 342Adds to knowledge deeds, faith, virtue, patience, temperance and love, charity being the soul of all the rest.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 382Beneficence makes one an honest man, though not enough for salvation.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 231–232Mercy's charity in clothing the poor is contrasted with Brisk's worldly, professing religion; few can abide the practice of mercy.read · scan
- p. 291–292Innocence stays clean under slander; charity never lacks; hypocrites' good names only make the vile more abominable.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 120Good breeding rests on inner good-will and regard for all, expressed as respect suited to rank.read · scan
- p. 124Civility is nothing but care not to show contempt; love and respect for others find fitting expression.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 395–396Distrust of motives is uncharitable and vain; charity is excellent in all its senses.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, On the Death of Esther Johnson [Stella]Vol. 27
- p. 127Charity, liberality and disinterestedness portrayed as her virtues; gifts well chosen and gratitude from the poor.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 222–223Charity called an excellent virtue; Kempis promoted virtue by example and writing.read · scan
- p. 243–244Selfishness of lotteries versus charity and mildness in speech.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 348–349Humanity may require slow, circumspect restoration of free trade; fashion's preference for foreign wares is called folly.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 347–348Hermann condemns selfishness of the man who thinks only of himself and cannot share others' gladness and sorrow.read · scan
- p. 369–370Hermann praises the exile as selfless, forgetting her sorrows to help others though herself helpless.read · scan
- p. 386–387He praises her as brave-hearted, busy in aiding others and bringing comfort.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 140–142Contrasts Joseph's moralizing evasions with Charles's charity despite dissipation; benevolence tested.read · scan
- p. 177–178Rowley and Sir Oliver note Joseph's speculative benevolence and stock of charitable sentiments that never become action; charity begins at home.read · scan
- p. 179–181Joseph Surface hypocritically prefers cheap sentimental show to costly real charity, cynically valuing reputation for benevolence without its expense.read · scan
William Blake, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 588–591Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love are the virtues of delight to which all pray.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 289–290Moral qualities of pity and generosity are lasting charms, outliving bodily beauty.read · scan
- p. 494–496Opening stanzas wish for a heart tuned to peace, love, pity, virtue and piety.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 635Remembered beauty influences the best portion of a good man's life, his little acts of kindness and love.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 49Charity of the benefactor contrasted with the knavish, mocking son.read · scan
- p. 71–72Servant's remark that good may be done anywhere, expecting Cristoforo to come to do good.read · scan
- p. 351Federigo practised charity and austerity, and rebuked those who preach a comfortable mean between virtue and vice at their own level.read · scan
- p. 378The Unnamed shows compassion and serenity in the work of atonement.read · scan
- p. 410Donna Prassede's zeal to do good is abused by distorted ideas; doing good requires knowing how, and going beyond duty.read · scan
- p. 411Donna Prassede proposes to take Lucia in from charity, with expressions of piety.read · scan
- p. 443Her zealous, well-meant officiousness in doing good by force, unmoved by Lucia's tears, is satirized.read · scan
- p. 456The bishop's organized, persevering charity shows virtue in practice.read · scan
- p. 457Federigo exemplifies charity, refusing to be dispenser of others' liberality and giving from his own resources.read · scan
- p. 527Charity and courage shine amid the common indifference; some assume cares beyond their office out of compassion.read · scan
- p. 570–571The suspicious woman refuses pity or information; a commissary shows a more Christian-like courtesy.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 83Grethel's considerate care for the little duck rewards kindness.read · scan
- p. 187–188Bearskin's compassion and generosity pay the old man's debt; the youngest daughter honors her father's promise.read · scan
- p. 188Bearskin does good and gives to the poor; the sisters show contempt and cruelty.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 372Peers showed piety, kindness, rigour, pity for the poor, generosity and valour.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 190A good man's life is benefaction, not a list of enumerable good deeds; true charity is character.read · scan
- p. 196Only the pure and aspiring can know the face of self-denying love; the mob and critics cannot.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 210Good-nature, from willingness to oblige up to magnanimity and love, matters more in society than selfish intellect; Fox exemplifies it.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1313–1314Her spirit is fragrant with charity, meekness, love, hope, forgiveness and patience.read · scan
- p. 1334Patience, abnegation of self and devotion to others are the lesson her sorrow taught.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 16–17Swift's benefactions were given roughly, insulting the man he served; contrasted with Goldsmith's kind heart.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1133–1134Father helped the weary and saved many; heroic souls contrasted with the vile crowd.read · scan
6b.Generosity, liberality and hospitality, and their excess or counterfeit
See also: Charity 8b · Hospitality 3a
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 120–121Job's closing oath of integrity: no vengeful joy at enemy's ruin, hospitality to stranger, no concealed sin.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 54–56Proteus refuses to kill strangers driven by winds, while calling Alexander base for violating hospitality and stealing.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 610–611As Vessantara he asks at birth to give alms, showing generosity.read · scan
- p. 694–695Recklessness is unsuitable; men should give gifts and do meritorious deeds.read · scan
- p. 697–698The hare exhorts his comrades to give alms and keep precepts; liberality is the virtue.read · scan
- p. 700–701The hare offers his life in perfect liberality, unhurt by fire; Sakka proclaims his virtue.read · scan
- p. 763–764Generosity in giving is praised and pursued despite obstruction.read · scan
- p. 775–776Reverence and generosity: she refuses to wear what her master touched and gives up her costly ornament.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 110Generous yet high-handed, he relieves the man's need through a device that mixes kindness with intimidation.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 323–324Antony's liberality and common ways win the army, though his vaunting, public drinking and follies hasten his overthrow.read · scan
- p. 370Antony's generosity to the deserter Domitius, who dies repentant of his treachery.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 104Refusing a roof to anyone is held wicked and inhuman.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 218–219Cormac is praised as modest, a hero and hospitaller who neither slays men for misery nor spares them for prosperity.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 121The broker admires the young man's liberality and resolves to repay it with hospitality.read · scan
- p. 148The elder daughter's profligacy, learned in Cairo, and her jealous murder are contrasted with the governor's generosity.read · scan
- p. 200–201Poet's verse praises liberality and mocks the avaricious; generosity pushed to prodigality is dramatized.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 55–56Courtesy, humility and magnanimity toward a defeated enemy.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 422–423Sbietta and his kin practise flattery, gifts and false hospitality to deceive Cellini; he calls them rascals.read · scan
- p. 423–424Hosts show excessive hospitality while hiding treachery; villagers warn Cellini he is among rogues.read · scan
- p. 425The hosts' insistent pressing of food and the priest's sudden absence hint at treachery in an outwardly warm supper.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 382Liberality shading into prodigality and the miser made frank by war.read · scan
- p. 493Quixote lists virtues knight-errantry gave him; liberality requires means, and will without works is dead like faith.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 87Riches should be an instrument for goodness, not a prey for avarice; parsimony withholds liberality and charity.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 832Pescara contrasts noble giving with rewarding a strumpet's lust.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 329–330Bishop Morton's charity, cheerful heart and liberality, embracing poverty without repining, show the beauty of his mind.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 329Refuses base action for the Indies; Aristotle wrongly requires wealth for liberality; husbands acts of virtue.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 25Observes a man is more generous with little money, perhaps from fear of seeming poor; gives rolls away.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 277Hospitality shows generosity, while spending on trinkets for oneself often shows a base, selfish disposition; economic benefit is a separate matter.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 405Praises son's imagined virtues: generosity, humanity, liberal sentiment and accomplishment.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 306–307Tellheim's generosity: he secretly destroys the debt note and pledges to secure the widow's claim; heaven rewards good deeds.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 312–314Godlike pleasure of bestowing is praised over cold prudence.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 356Federigo's charity and unfettered liberality are presented as virtue exceeding prevailing opinion of his age.read · scan
- p. 401He forbids any evil in his service and offers to share his last loaf with the least of them.read · scan
- p. 424–425The narrator sketches Federigo's liberality, reconciling of feuds and taming of petty tyrants throughout his diocese.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 159–160The elder sons' selfish refusal to share food with the old man brings injury as punishment; generosity is implied as virtue.read · scan
- p. 160–161Dummling's willingness to share his poor food is rewarded with good luck; the greedy girls stick fast to the goose.read · scan
- p. 214–215Hospitality to a stranger: the mother welcomes the half-frozen bear and trusts he means well.read · scan
- p. 215Contrast of kind hospitality with the wicked, grasping dwarfs.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, HeroismVol. 5
- p. 125Generous hospitality done for love, not show, is a heroic virtue raising the standard of civil virtue.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 143–144Dana praises the Islanders' generosity and sacrifice as a reproach to his own countrymen.read · scan
6c.Gratitude and ingratitude
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 252–253Melantho, though reared tenderly by Penelope, shows ingratitude and lewdness, siding with the wooer Eurymachus.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 39The 'Efrit is called radically corrupt for repaying good with evil; he pleads for generosity and humanity.read · scan
- p. 333Jullanar argues that beneficence deserves beneficence in return; the King is praised for kindness.read · scan
- p. 335–336Salih insists gratitude is due the King for his beneficence to Jullanar, a claim the King's generosity earned.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 55Generosity and gratitude toward faithful servants shown as noble.read · scan
- p. 57Gratitude, generosity and courtesy praised.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 184Quixote preaches gratitude as the duty of the well born and calls ingratitude a sin; the freed slaves answer with stones.read · scan
- p. 184The freed convicts repay Quixote's benefit by robbing and beating him, showing ingratitude.read · scan
- p. 187Quixote calls Sancho a natural coward and proverbially says doing good to the unthankful is casting water in the sea.read · scan
- p. 187–188Evil men are evermore ungrateful: Gines, freed by Quixote, steals Sancho's ass.read · scan
William Shakespeare, Songs and SonnetsVol. 40
- p. 266–268Ingratitude and forgotten benefits are crueler than winter; most friendship is feigning.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 399Sycorax's malice and sorcery contrasted with Ariel's refusal and Prospero's gratitude demanded.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 859–862Wellborn beats Tapwell as a thankless viper; ingratitude appears as a vice shown by innkeepers who forget benefactors once poor.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 29–30Aeneas's consistent tender-heartedness and gratitude versus charges of ingratitude and fickleness.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 231–232The priest's compassion and conscious virtue confirm his kind nature; the youth's ingratitude and romantic notions bring failure.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 408Ingratitude is called the first of revolutionary virtues, the four cardinal virtues combined.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 160–161Charles's loyalty and gratitude redeem him in Sir Oliver's eyes: 'I forgive him every thing!'read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 216Snow-white patiently helps the abusive dwarf, who answers with insults and ingratitude, contrasting kindness with churlishness.read · scan
- p. 216–217The girls again rescue the ungrateful dwarf, who repays their kindness with abuse and grasping possession of his pearls.read · scan
- p. 217–218Pitying rescuers contrast with the ungrateful dwarf who offers the girls to be eaten to save himself.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 145Hope is kind and never angry, civil under abuse, and never forgets a benefit.read · scan
6d.Mildness, patience with faults and forgiveness of wrongdoers
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 85–86Cicero holds that irritable, easily appeased natures signal a good heart and urges mutual forbearance with each other's faults.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 369Teaches mercy, love of enemies, giving without return, and doing as one would be done by.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 16–17Aristides' generosity: though banished by Themistocles he warns him and helps rally the commanders.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 37–38Pericles and Fabius are paired for mild, upright temper and ability to bear their fellow-citizens' humors.read · scan
- p. 75–76His mildness, freedom from envy and passion and treating no enemy as irreconcilable justify the title Olympian.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 85Aristides lays aside enmity, endorses his rival's better counsel and competes only in serving Greece.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 276Praises Caesar's humanity and clemency to the conquered and kindness to soldiers.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 169Best answer to an enemy is to live the noblest life oneself.read · scan
- p. 177Devoting time to bodily things marks a mean mind; forbearing toward a wronging brother shows virtuous handling of injustice.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 195He attacks vices, not persons, and gently reclaims the wanderer from virtue's paths; his life is blameless.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 194Benevolence, gravity without affectation, tolerance of the ignorant, knowledge without ostentation.read · scan
- p. 195–196Antoninus Pius: mildness, resolution after deliberation, no vainglory, perseverance, firmness in giving every man his deserts.read · scan
- p. 228Seeking that the bad not act badly is madness.read · scan
- p. 230A completed life shows kindness to ill-minded folks.read · scan
- p. 235–236Overlook many things in those who are like antagonists.read · scan
- p. 249Better than skill at throwing an opponent is being social, modest, disciplined to what happens, and considerate of neighbours' faults.read · scan
- p. 273Shameless, knavish and faithless men must exist; nature gave man virtues such as mildness to oppose each wrong.read · scan
- p. 284Keep character friendly, benevolent and mild even when leaving.read · scan
- p. 286–287Steady judgment and gentleness towards hinderers are both required.read · scan
- p. 288Meet contempt and hatred with mildness and benevolence, being honest and not complaining.read · scan
- p. 289Do not be displeased with others' faults; consider their pride, opinions and involuntary error.read · scan
- p. 290You too commit faults or abstain only through cowardice or concern for reputation, so do not judge others harshly.read · scan
- p. 290A genuine good disposition is invincible; answer violence with kindness and gentle correction, without reproach.read · scan
- p. 297Do not judge wrongdoers hastily; wrongdoing is as natural as fig-trees bearing juice; do only what is right and true.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 149–150Her meekness, endurance and patience overcome her husband's anger and household strife.read · scan
- p. 150–151Monica as peace-maker never repeated bitter words between quarrelers, only what reconciled them; she is praised for holy conversation.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 960–961Paradise is for those who give alms, restrain rage, pardon men and repent their wrongs.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 91–93The narrator resolves not to harm the youth and serves him kindly, though he is the fated slayer.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 23The Parson is benign, patient in adversity and generous, contrasted with the worldly Wife's pride and quarrelsomeness.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 219Patience in bearing others' faults, and hypocrisy in demanding correction of others but not ourselves.read · scan
- p. 232The patient man forgives injuries, prays for enemies, is swift to pity, and subdues flesh to spirit.read · scan
- p. 240–241Humility, peaceableness and charity toward the perverse are praised; judging others while excusing oneself is condemned.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 183Slaughter is left to bondmen lest clemency, the gentlest human affection, decay in citizens.read · scan
- p. 210Mocking a man's deformity is a disgrace to the mocker; fools are treated kindly.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 336Conscious of the beam in his own eye, he will not cast the first stone at another's faults.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 91More bears slander with equanimity, pitying rather than angry at detractors; his service was disinterested.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 240–241Albany's gentleness is condemned as harmful mildness by Goneril; he answers that striving to better we often mar.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 450–452Prospero chooses to forgive, saying the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance, since his enemies are penitent.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 740–742Philaster shows courtesy, gentleness and pity to his enemy Pharamond, who acknowledges his noble soulread · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 920–922Wellborn shows bounty and forgives Marrall, who admits shame at helping defraud him.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 369Donne portrayed as compassionate, merciful, forgiving of injuries, with a conscience at peace.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 409–410His pious discourse, meekness and reconciled majesty and humility leave a lasting reverence in Duncon.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Samson says the good are drawn by principled forgiveness into misery.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 266–269Elmire argues virtue should be gentle rather than a shrewish prudery, and a quiet rebuff repels a lover.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 95Meekness and patience of the pilgrims contrast with the rage of persecutors.read · scan
- p. 290–291Shepherds give comfort to the weak and warning to the unruly; Great-heart praises their gentle grace.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 45A humane, friendly mind free and master of itself pleases everyone.read · scan
- p. 121Four faults oppose civility: roughness, contempt, censoriousness, captiousness; good breeding softens men's tempers.read · scan
- p. 122–123Contradiction and captiousness are faults against civility; opposing others must be gentle to keep their esteem.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 347Never rail or taunt; despise nobody.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 377–378The wise man scorns indirect means, offends none, and is ready to forgive wrongs.read · scan
- p. 396–397Charity excuses weakness, refuses backbiting and revenge, and is a holy cement for mankind.read · scan
Thomas Gray, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 451–453Prayer to Adversity to teach love, forgiveness and scrutiny of one's own defects.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 226Encouragement to meekness and heavenly-mindedness among men in days of calamity.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 509The parson's charity and pity forgive vices in woe; his failings lean to virtue's side.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 349–350Minna urges bearing with bad men and seeking their good side, judging the Frenchman merely vain; Franziska cannot excuse rogues.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 371–373The elder rebukes quarrels and urges the exiles to bear with one another and share what they have.read · scan
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, The Federalist, Nos. I and IIVol. 43
- p. 200Moderation and candor are urged; advocates of truth are not always purer in motive than antagonists.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 182–184Warns against rigid righteousness and censoriousness; pious critics of others' faults and folly are mocked, and a fellow-creature's failings excused.read · scan
- p. 184–186Pleads for compassion toward human frailty; the pious hide faults better and had less temptation; to err is human.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 304A virtuous emperor bore patiently with his loose colleague Verus.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1318She is lowly, meek, and patiently suffering all things.read · scan
John Greenleaf Whittier, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1347–1349Patience and forgiveness as Christlike virtue against scoffing.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 185–186Bagehot uses Milton's forgiving conduct to show the substantial excellence of his character despite pride.read · scan
6e.Friendship and loyalty as grounded in virtue
See also: Duty 7e · Love 7a · Friendship 3a
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 55–56Good friends are straight, sincere and learned; good joys are courtesy, praising others' good and worthy friends; pomp and feasting harm.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 31The traveller who abandons his comrade in danger shows false friendship; friend's counsel follows.read · scan
- p. 39Each friend excuses himself by pointing to another, evading responsibility.read · scan
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 204–205Chorus scorns baseness and treachery, loyalty to the sufferer.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 748–749The worthy mendicant's mind is unattached and takes as much delight in others' gains as in his own; Kassapa is the model.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 15–16Friendship exists only between good men, defined by honour, purity, equity, liberality, freedom from greed and lust, following nature.read · scan
- p. 16Virtue is the parent and preserver of friendship; ordinary good men suffice, not ideal characters.read · scan
- p. 18–19Virtue inspires love: we feel warmth for Fabricius and Curius, loathe Tarquin, and detest Hannibal for cruelty.read · scan
- p. 20The attraction of probity and virtue is the original cause of affection, even toward strangers or enemies.read · scan
- p. 22Since belief in virtue causes friendship, it cannot survive abandonment of virtue.read · scan
- p. 22–23Friendship must not ask or grant wrongdoing; good men owe no loyalty to disloyal friends, and bad men deserve punishment, tying friendship to honour and virtue.read · scan
- p. 23–25First law of friendship: ask and do only what is good; confederacies of evil men cannot shelter under friendship and merit punishment.read · scan
- p. 26–27The good love the good by natural kinship; virtue's kindliness extends to nations too.read · scan
- p. 29–30Friends' characters must be stainless with complete harmony of aims; virtue must not be abandoned.read · scan
- p. 34Differences of character and aims estrange friends; good and bad men cannot be friends.read · scan
- p. 36Friendship is impossible without virtue; it helps virtue reach its highest objects and bars requests inconsistent with rectitude.read · scan
- p. 38–39Compliance that assists a man in vice is unworthy of a free man or a friend.read · scan
- p. 41–42Virtue creates and preserves friendship, giving harmony, permanence and fidelity; it recognizes itself in another and is drawn to it.read · scan
- p. 42–44Virtue, without which friendship is impossible, comes first; friendship is the greatest of all things next to it.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 201–202Companions desert him deceitfully with false excuses once he is bankrupt.read · scan
- p. 202–203All ten companions deny Nur-ed-Din when he is poor; verses lament that no man of integrity is found among ten.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 72–74Faithful hound and doe contrast with the fickle lady who takes another mate.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 106The dog's fidelity contrasts with the journeymen, called traitors, who ignore the alarm and throw sticks at him.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of FriendshipVol. 32
- p. 75Generous lovers instruct in religion, obedience, valor, wisdom and justice; base ones use riches and favors.read · scan
- p. 75Such union must be guided by virtue and reason, otherwise it is no true friendship.read · scan
- p. 80–83In mere service he cares only for diligence, not chastity or religion, but true friendship requires sincere worth.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 684–687Bellario's loyalty in blessing his master is praised by Philaster as surpassing stories of boys' devotion.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 406–407Gratitude and sociability are virtues; the insociable and stubborn are like irregular stones cast from a building.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 377–378Their amity is not polluting but a chain of suitable inclinations and virtues.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 333–334Friend is candid, just, ready, bold, patient, courageous.read · scan
- p. 334Virtue must bound friendship, else it is evil confederacy.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, FriendshipVol. 5
- p. 112Friendship must rest on municipal virtues of justice, punctuality, fidelity and pity, not on romance alone.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 193–195True friends are self-reliant, asking nothing of each other, meeting by divine necessity.read · scan
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