Samuel Johnson Virtue Quotations

Friendship is a union of spirits, a marriage of hearts, and the bond there of virtue

Wickedness is always easier than virtue, for it takes a short cut to everything.

Every man prefers virtue, when there is not some strong incitement to transgress its precepts.

Virtue is too often merely local.

The highest panegyric, therefore, that private virtue can receive, is the praise of servants.

It is to be steadily inculcated, that virtue is the highest proof of understanding, and the only solid basis of greatness.

To set the mind above the appetites is the end of abstinence, which if not a virtue, is the groundwork of a virtue.

No people can be great who have ceased to be virtuous.

His virtues walked their narrow round, Nor made a pause, nor left a void; And sure the Eternal Master found The single talent well employed.

He who would govern his actions by the laws of virtue must regulate his thoughts by those of reason.

Glory, the casual gift of thoughtless crowds! Glory, the bribe of avaricious virtue!