Benjamin Franklin Quotes About Virtue
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I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. [...] I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous.
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Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
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Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.
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Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all virtues
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Laws without morals are in vain.
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Strict punctuality is a cheap virtue.
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A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
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Much Virtue in Herbs, little in Men.
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I think also, that general virtue is more probably to be expected and obtained from the education of youth, than from exhortations of adult persons; bad habits and vices of the mind being, like diseases of the body, more easily prevented than cured. I think moreover, that talents for the education of youth are the gift of God; and that he on whom they are bestowed, whenever a way is opened for use of them, is as strongly called as if he heard a voice from heaven.
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Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
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Seek virtue and of that posest, to Providence resign the rest.
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Righteousness, or justice, is, undoubtedly of all the virtues, the surest foundation on which to create and establish a new state. But there are two nobler virtues, industry and frugality, which tend more to increase the wealth, power and grandeur of the community, than all the others without them.
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I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance.
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Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.
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Sloth and Silence are a Fool's Virtues
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Hast thou virtue? acquire also the graces and beauties of virtue.
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Whoever feels pain in hearing a good character of his neighbor, will feel a pleasure in the reverse. And those who despair to rise in distinction by their virtues, are happy if others can be depressed to a level of themselves.
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Vice knows she is ugly, so puts on her mask.
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The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance.
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Virtues, of ... Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
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Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy.
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What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.
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Virtues, of ... Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
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My List of Virtues contain'd at first but twelve: But a Quaker Friend having kindly inform'd me that I was generally thought proud; that my Pride show'd itself frequently in Conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any Point, but was overbearing & rather insolent; of which he convinc'd me by mentioning several Instances; - I determined endeavouring to cure myself ..., and I added Humility to my List, giving an extensive Meaning to the Word.
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I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms.
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I think vital religion has always suffered when orthodoxy is more regarded than virtue. The scriptures assure me that at the last day we shall not be examined on what we thought but what we did.
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If a sound body and a sound mind, which is as much as to say health and virtue, are to be preferred before all other considerations, ought not men, in choosing a business either for themselves or children, to refuse such as are unwholesome for the body, and such as make a man too dependent, too much obliged to please others, and too much subjected to their humors in order to be recommended and get a livelihood?
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The wise and the brave dares own that he was wrong.
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Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History, must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude.
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That there is one God, who made all things. That he governs the world by his providence. That he might be worshipped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving. But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to Man. That the Soul is immortal. And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter.
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Benjamin Franklin
- Born: January 17, 1706
- Died: April 17, 1790
- Occupation: Founding Father of the United States
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