Ethics and Morality

To God everything is beautiful, good, and just; humans, however, think some things are unjust and others just.

Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.

No one who lives in error is free.

This is slavery, not to speak one's thought.

Wealth stays with us a little moment if at all. only our characters are steadfast, not our gold.

Impudence is the worst of all human diseases.

Silver and gold are not the only coin; virtue too passes current all over the world.

It's not beauty but fine qualities, my girl, that keep a husband.

I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too.

We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral.

Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.

One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.

If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible.

If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.

All religions must be tolerated, for every man must get to heaven in his own way.

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.

When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.