Quotes by Scientist

[the virtues] cannot exist without Prudence. A proof of this is that everyone, even at the present day, in defining Virtue, after saying what disposition it is [i.e. moral virtue] and specifying the things with which it is concerned, adds that it is a disposition determined by the right principle; and the right principle is the principle determined by Prudence.

It is the characteristic of the magnanimous man to ask no favor but to be ready to do kindness to others.

Excellence, then, is about making choices, finding a middle ground, which is determined by reason, as a wise person would decide.

The government of freemen is nobler and implies more virtue than despotic government. Neither is a city to be deemed happy or a legislator to be praised because he trains his citizens to conquer and obtain dominion over their neighbors, for there is great evil in this.

Moral qualities, then, are not given to us by nature or against nature. Nature does prepare us to receive them, but they are fully formed by habit.

Both Self-restraint and Unrestraint are a matter of extremes as compared with the character of the mass of mankind; the restrained man shows more and the unrestrained man less steadfastness than most men are capable of.

The greatest good qualities are those that help others the most.

There is simple ignorance, which is the source of lighter offenses, and double ignorance, which is accompanied by a conceit of wisdom.

...happiness is an activity and a complete utilization of virtue, not conditionally but absolutely.

In order to be effective you need not only virtue but also mental strength.