Samuel Butler Virtue Quotations

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

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

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

Rare virtues are like rare plants or animals, things that have not been able to hold their own in the world. A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner but more durable metal.

That vice pays homage to virtue is notorious; we call it hypocrisy

The extremes of vice and virtue are alike detestable, and absolute virtue is as sure to kill a man as absolute vice is.