The WaysMoral and Virtue

quotes and poems about Moral and Virtue : 7 quote(s)

ome say, "The Law tells us to abstain from anger, lust, and hypocrisy. This is plainly impossible, for we are created with those qualities inherent in us. You might as well tell us to make black white.' People ignore the fact that the law does not tell us to uproot these passions but to restrain them within due limits so that, by avoiding the great sins, we may obtain forgiveness of the smaller ones. Even the Prophet of God said, I am a man like you, and get angry like others. In the Koran it is written, "God loves those who swallow down their anger."

e who understands virtue will have a sufficient amount, that is all. He will not allow sensual desires to be a burden to his mind, the small to injure the great, or the secondary to destroy the fundamental.

he superior man considers a rich possession of moral principles to be honor and peace in his person to be wealth. Therefore he is always at peace and is never discontented. To him carriages and ceremonial caps (symbols of honor) are as light as a cash, and gold and jade are as tiny as a speck of dust. Nothing can be added to the great value [of rich possession of moral principle and peace in the person].

n practicing the ordinary virtues and in the exercise of care in ordinary conversation, when there is deficiency, the superior man never fails to make further effort, and when there is excess, never dares to go to the limit. His words correspond to his actions and his actions correspond to his words. Isn't the superior man earnest and genuine?

t is not only the worthies alone who have this moral sense. All men have it, but only the worthies have been able to preserve it.

he Lord on High said to King Wen:
"I cherish your brilliant virtue,
Which makes no great display in sound or appearance,
Nor is changed with age
Without any manipulation or deliberation,
You follow the principles of the Lord."

ultivate your virtue.