This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
To propose a reward for virtue is to render virtue impossible.
Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is.
There is no greater every-day virtue than cheerfulness. This quality in man among men is like sunshine to the day or gentle renewing moisture to parched herbs. The light of a cheerful face diffuses itself, and communicates the happy spirit that inspires it. The sourest temper must sweeten in the atmosphere of continuous good humor.
Cheerfulness | Day | Good | Happy | Humor | Light | Man | Men | Spirit | Temper | Virtue | Virtue |
Virtue hath few Platonick Lovers. Virtue is a Man's both Guard and Glory. Virtue is built upon it self... Virtue is more persecuted by the Wicked, than encouraged by the Good... Virtue is seldom followed gratis. Virtue is the only Ground for Friendship to be built upon... Virtue merits Veneration, wherever she appears. Virtue respects not Blood and Alliance. Virtue scorns a Lie for its Defence.
As virtue is its own reward, so vice is its own punishment.
Punishment | Reward | Virtue | Virtue | Vice |
Good Nature is the proper Soil upon which Virtue grows.
Good nature | Good | Nature | Virtue | Virtue |
Voltaire, pen name of François-Marie Arouet NULL
Philosopher, lover of wisdom, that is to say, of truth. All philosophers have had this dual character; there is not one in antiquity who has not given mankind examples of virtue and lessons in moral truths. They have all contrived to be deceived about natural philosophy; but natural philosophy is so little necessary for the conduct of life, that the philosophers had no need of it. It has taken centuries to learn a part of nature’s laws. One day was sufficient for a wise man to learn the duties of man.
Antiquity | Character | Conduct | Day | Life | Life | Little | Man | Mankind | Nature | Need | Philosophy | Truth | Virtue | Virtue | Wisdom | Wise | Learn |
There is no vice so simple, but assumes some mark of virtue on its outward parts.
Woodrow Wilson, fully Thomas Woodrow Wilson
No man is a true Christian who does not think constantly of how he can lift his brother, how he can assist his friend, how he can enlighten mankind, how he can make virtue the rule of conduct in the circle in which he lives.
Conduct | Friend | Man | Mankind | Rule | Virtue | Virtue | Think |
Wang Yang-Ming or Yangming, aka Wang Shouren or Wang Shou-jen, courtesy name Bo'an
The sages do not consider that making no mistake is a blessing. They believe, rather, that the great virtue of a person lies in their ability to correct their mistakes and continually to make a new person of themselves.