Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely.
The man who barely abstains from violating either the person or the estate or the reputation of his neighbours, has surely very little positive merit.
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly.
Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more.
Recommend to your children virtue; that alone can make them happy, not gold.
Since every man dies, it is better to die with distinction than to live long.
If you accomplish something good with hard work, the labor passes quickly, but the good endures. If you do something shameful in pursuit of pleasure, the pleasure passes quickly, but the shame endures.
Virtue is not simply theoretical knowledge, but it is practical application as well.
The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart.
The feeling of commiseration is the beginning of humanity; the feeling of shame is the beginning of righteousness.
Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself.
Choose rather to be strong of soul than strong of body.
Happiness is not the reward of virtue, but is virtue itself.
Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.
The highest endeavor of the mind, and the highest virtue, is to understand things by intuition.
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
Our labour preserves us from three great evils - weariness, vice, and want.
The measure of a man is what he does with power.
The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.
