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

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

You have a good many little gifts and virtues but there is no need of parading them for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long and the great charm of all power is modesty.

If one has a good disposition what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame what is the value of other ornamentation?

Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue but moderation in principle is always a vice.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

In truth politeness is artificial good humor it covers the natural want of it and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.

The virtues like the Muses are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.

Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.

Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth so virtue appears from good deeds and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own and God willingly favors such a confidence.

God has been very good to me for I never dwell upon anything wrong which a person has done so as to remember it afterwards. If I do remember it I always see some other virtue in that person.

If thou desire the love of God and man be humble for the proud heart as it loves none but itself is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue nor strength nor reason can prevail.

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.

That future depends on the values of self-government our sense of duty loyalty self-confidence and regard for the common good. We are a diverse country and getting more diverse. And these virtues are what keep this great country together.

What is past is past there is a future left to all men who have the virtue to repent and the energy to atone.

So what I do now is to pre-empt that by making the up into a virtue and telling funny stories about how crap I am before people have a chance to notice it for themselves and think maybe I haven't realised.

Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.

Many a person has held close throughout their entire lives two friends that always remained strange to one another because one of them attracted by virtue of similarity the other by difference.

A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity.

Women are degraded by the propensity to enjoy the present moment and at last despise the freedom which they have not sufficient virtue to struggle to attain.

When women love us they forgive us everything even our crimes when they do not love us they give us credit for nothing not even our virtues.

Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.