Pastoral Resources

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.

Whilst shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in the heart; nor will moderation be utterly exiled from the minds of tyrants.

Were there no desire there would be no virtue, and because one man desires what another does not, who shall say whether the child of his desire be Vice or Virtue?

Virtue is simply happiness, and happiness is a by-product of function. You are happy when you are functioning.

The function of vice is to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

Virtue knows that it is impossible to get on without compromise, and tunes herself, as it were, a trifle sharp to allow for an inevitable fall in playing.

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more durable alloy.

If the headache would only precede the intoxication, alcoholism would be a virtue.

In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.

It is the function of vice to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

In England the only homage which they pay to Virtue - is hypocrisy.

Every day confirms my opinion on the superiority of a vicious life, and if Virtue is not its own reward, I don't know any other stipend annexed to it.

Every day confirms my opinion on the superiority of a vicious life - and if Virtue is not its own reward I don't know any other stipend annexed to it.

Virtue cannot separate itself from reality without becoming a principle of evil.

Secrecy is the element of all goodness; even virtue, even beauty is mysterious.

Virtue consisted in avoiding scandal and venereal disease.

Virtue is the truest nobility.

Modesty, tis a virtue not often found among poets, for almost every one of them thinks himself the greatest in the world.

Man may aspire to virtue, but he cannot reasonably aspire to truth.