Ethics and Morality

The wrastling for this world axeth a fal.

Reule wel thyself, that other folk canst rede. And trouthe thee shal delivere, it is no drede.

My sone, keep wel thy tonge, and keep thy freend.

For whan a man hath over-greet a wit, Ful oft hym happeth to mysusen it.

For dronkenesse is verray sepulture Of mannes wit and his discrecioun.

But if a man be vertuous withal.

That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis.

Looke who that is moost vertuous alway, Pryvee and apert, and most entendeth ay To do the gentil dedes that he kan; Taak hym for the grettest gentil man.

But Cristes loore and his apostles twelve He taughte, but first he folwed it hymselve.

If gold ruste, what shal iren do?

This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf, That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte.

Full of wiles, full of guile, at all times, in all ways, Are the children of Men. 3

To make the worse appear the better reason.

The gods Visit the sins of the fathers upon the children. 15

Humility, a sense of reverence before the sons of heaven— of all the prizes that a mortal man might win, these, I say, are wisest; these are best.

What is wisdom? What gift of the gods is held in glory like this: to hold your hand victorious over the heads of those you hate? Glory is precious forever.

We know the good, we apprehend it clearly, but we can’t bring it to achievement.

There is one thing alone that stands the brunt of life throughout its course: a quiet conscience.

O mortal man, think mortal thoughts!

War never slays a bad man in its course, But the good always! 9

Show me the man who keeps his house in hand, He’s fit for public authority.

But all your [Creon’s] strength is weakness itself against The immortal unrecorded laws of God. They are not merely now: they were and shall be Forever, beyond man utterly.

It is a good thing To escape from death, but it is not great pleasure To bring death to a friend.

It is not righteousness to outrage A brave man dead, not even though you hate him.