Morality Quotes | Beyond Motive 2/28

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Morality Quotes

"But as far as true goodness was concerned, that didn't exist - not in the land of cowardly men."

"But as far as true goodness was concerned, that didn't exist - not in the land of cowardly men."

Paulo Coelho, Brazilian Novelist

Morality, Goodness, Humanity, Truth

32

"There's always the hyena of morality at the garden gate, and the real wolf at the end of the street."

"There's always the hyena of morality at the garden gate, and the real wolf at the end of the street."

David Herbert Lawrence, English Writer

Morality, End, Garden

31

"He did not wish to be divine. If there had never been a God, the emperor thought, it might have been easier to work out what goodness was. This business of worship, of the abnegation of self in the face of the Almighty, was a distraction, a false trail. Wherever goodness lay, it did not lie in ritual, unthinking obeisance before a deity but rather, perhaps, in the slow, clumsy, error-strewn working out of an individual or collective path."

"He did not wish to be divine. If there had never been a God, the emperor thought, it might have been easier to work out what goodness was. This business of worship, of the abnegation of self in the face of the Almighty, was a distraction, a false trail. Wherever goodness lay, it did not lie in ritual, unthinking obeisance before a deity but rather, perhaps, in the slow, clumsy, error-strewn working out of an individual or collective path."

Salman Rushdie, Indian Novelist

Morality, Faith, Goodness, Reason

31

"Best to live and love by the maxim that 'silence in the face of evil is evil itself', but when it's evil fighting evil, let evil kill itself."

"Best to live and love by the maxim that 'silence in the face of evil is evil itself', but when it's evil fighting evil, let evil kill itself."

Criss Jami, American Philosopher

Morality, Evil, Silence, Justice

30

"A novel that does not uncover a hitherto unknown segment of existence is immoral. Knowledge is the novel's only morality."

"A novel that does not uncover a hitherto unknown segment of existence is immoral. Knowledge is the novel's only morality."

Milan Kundera, Czechoslovakian Writer

Morality, Knowledge, Existence

29

"Just because I do not accept the teachings of the devotaries does not mean I've discarded a belief in right and wrong." determines what is right!" right? I believe that my own morality -- which answers only to my heart -- is more sure and true than the morality of those who do right only because they fear retribution."

"Just because I do not accept the teachings of the devotaries does not mean I've discarded a belief in right and wrong." determines what is right!" right? I believe that my own morality -- which answers only to my heart -- is more sure and true than the morality of those who do right only because they fear retribution."

Brandon Sanderson, American Author

Morality, Heart, Belief, Right

29

"The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right."

"The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right."

William Safire, American Author

Morality, Right

29

"Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time."

"Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time."

H. L. Mencken, American Writer

29

"A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does NOT triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him."

"A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does NOT triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him."

George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist

Morality, Tragedy, Virtue, Human, Defeat

29

"No, it is not my sense of the immorality of the Humbert Humbert-Lolita relationship that is strong; it is Humbert's sense. He cares, I do not. I do not give a damn for public morals, in America or elsewhere. And, anyway, cases of men in their forties marrying girls in their teens or early twenties have no bearing on Lolita whatever. Humbert was fond of "little girls"-not simply "young girls." Nymphets are girl-children, not starlets and "sex kittens." Lolita was twelve, not eighteen, when Humbert met her. You may remember that by the time she is fourteen, he refers to her as his "aging mistress."

"No, it is not my sense of the immorality of the Humbert Humbert-Lolita relationship that is strong; it is Humbert's sense. He cares, I do not. I do not give a damn for public morals, in America or elsewhere. And, anyway, cases of men in their forties marrying girls in their teens or early twenties have no bearing on Lolita whatever. Humbert was fond of "little girls"-not simply "young girls." Nymphets are girl-children, not starlets and "sex kittens." Lolita was twelve, not eighteen, when Humbert met her. You may remember that by the time she is fourteen, he refers to her as his "aging mistress."

Vladimir Nabokov, American Novelist

Morality, Judgment, Truth, Obsession

29

"The sin of fornication hinders a person from enjoying God's blessings."

"The sin of fornication hinders a person from enjoying God's blessings."

Sunday Adelaja, Nigerian Author

Morality, Sin, Fornication, Blessings, Hindrance

28

"Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right."

"Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right."

Brandon Sanderson, American Author

Morality, Action, Responsibility, Right, Courage

28

"If you shoot at a king you must kill him."

"If you shoot at a king you must kill him."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet

Morality, Power, Truth, Consequence, Justice

28

"A wrong concept misleads the understanding; a wrong deed degrades the whole man, and may eventually demolish the structure of the human ego."

"A wrong concept misleads the understanding; a wrong deed degrades the whole man, and may eventually demolish the structure of the human ego."

Muhammed Iqbal, Indian Poet

Morality, Deed, Ego, Man, May

27

"Morality which depends upon the helplessness of a man or woman has not much to recommend it. Morality is rooted in the purity of our hearts."

"Morality which depends upon the helplessness of a man or woman has not much to recommend it. Morality is rooted in the purity of our hearts."

Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Leader

Morality, Man, Purity, Woman

27

"Cowardice is the mother of cruelty."

"Cowardice is the mother of cruelty."

Michel de Montaigne, French Philosopher

Morality, Cruelty, Fear, Emotion, Character

27

"Values are the guiding principles through which you make choices and decisions. They are influenced by your beliefs, and will help you uphold a higher standard of personal character."

"Values are the guiding principles through which you make choices and decisions. They are influenced by your beliefs, and will help you uphold a higher standard of personal character."

Archibald Marwizi, Zimbabwean Author

Morality, Values, Decision, Character, Life

27

"Deterrence itself is not a preeminent value; the primary values are safety and morality."

"Deterrence itself is not a preeminent value; the primary values are safety and morality."

Herman Kahn, American Scientist

Morality, Values, Safety

27

"All the joy the world contains has come through wishing happiness through others. All the misery the world contains has come through wanting pleasure for oneself. Is there need for lengthy explanation?"

"All the joy the world contains has come through wishing happiness through others. All the misery the world contains has come through wanting pleasure for oneself. Is there need for lengthy explanation?"

Dalai Lama XIV, Tibetan Spiritual Leader

Morality, Joy, Happiness, Desire, Compassion

27

"Isn't wine prohibited here?" the boy asked. "It's not what enters men's mouths that's evil," said the alchemist. "It's what comes out of their mouths that is."

"Isn't wine prohibited here?" the boy asked. "It's not what enters men's mouths that's evil," said the alchemist. "It's what comes out of their mouths that is."

Paulo Coelho, Brazilian Novelist

Morality, Evil, Speech, Humanity

27

"No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

"No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

Theodore Roosevelt, American President

Morality, Care, Knowledge, Understanding, Empathy

26

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. And be kinder than is necessary."

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. And be kinder than is necessary."

Dalai Lama XIV, Tibetan Spiritual Leader

Morality, Kindness, Compassion, Truth, Action

26

"We say to the British government: you have kept those sculptures for almost two centuries. You have cared for them as well as you could, for which we thank you. But now in the name of fairness and morality, please give them back."

"We say to the British government: you have kept those sculptures for almost two centuries. You have cared for them as well as you could, for which we thank you. But now in the name of fairness and morality, please give them back."

Melina Mercouri, Greek Actress

Morality, Name, Now

26

"Some things you sentence yourself to life for."

"Some things you sentence yourself to life for."

Donna Lynn Hope, Jamaican Author

Morality, Punishment, Life, Regret, Consequence

26

"It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen."

"It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen."

Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

Morality, Goodness, Duty, Life

26

"It's now what enters men's mouths that's evil. It's what comes out of their mouths that is."

"It's now what enters men's mouths that's evil. It's what comes out of their mouths that is."

Paulo Coelho, Brazilian Novelist

Morality, Evil, Speech, Truth, Communication

26

"Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins."

"Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins."

Ayn Rand, Russian Writer

Morality, Force, Mind, Opposites

26

"Angels possess greater powers than do human beings."

"Angels possess greater powers than do human beings."

Walter Lang, American Director

Morality, Angels

25

"The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the state."

"The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the state."

James Madison, American President

Morality, People, Church, Devotion

25

"Our values define who we're. Never met great persons who kept compromising their values. Let's go beyond lip service to defend our values..."

"Our values define who we're. Never met great persons who kept compromising their values. Let's go beyond lip service to defend our values..."

Assegid Habtewold, Ethiopian Author

Morality, Integrity, Values, Principles, Character

25

"We do not preach against people, we preach against sin."

"We do not preach against people, we preach against sin."

Alin Sav, Romanian Author

Morality, Preaching, Sin, Faith

25

"Everyone wanted to see [him] fall so they could devour his remains. As is usually the case, the army of sycophants had turned into a horde of hungry hyenas."

"Everyone wanted to see [him] fall so they could devour his remains. As is usually the case, the army of sycophants had turned into a horde of hungry hyenas."

Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Spanish Novelist

Morality, Rivalry, Jealousy, Destruction, Malice

25

"It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, "Wait on time."

"It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, "Wait on time."

Martin Luther King, Jr., American Leader

Morality, Silence, Indifference, Action, Time

25

"Have I said anything I started out to say about being good? God, I don't know. A stranger is shot in the street, you hardly move to help. But if half an hour before, you spent just ten minutes with the fellow and knew a little about him and his family, you might just jump in front of his killer and try to stop it. Really knowing is good. Not knowing, or refusing to know, is bad, or amoral, at least. You can't act if you don't know. Acting without knowing takes you right off the cliff."

"Have I said anything I started out to say about being good? God, I don't know. A stranger is shot in the street, you hardly move to help. But if half an hour before, you spent just ten minutes with the fellow and knew a little about him and his family, you might just jump in front of his killer and try to stop it. Really knowing is good. Not knowing, or refusing to know, is bad, or amoral, at least. You can't act if you don't know. Acting without knowing takes you right off the cliff."

Ray Bradbury, American Writer

Morality, Goodness, Knowledge, Action

25

"Innocence is a better world."

"Innocence is a better world."

Annie Dillard, American Author

Morality, Innocence, Purity, Life, Idealism

25

"The moral sense in mortals is the dutyWe have to pay on mortal sense of beauty."

"The moral sense in mortals is the dutyWe have to pay on mortal sense of beauty."

Vladimir Nabokov, American Novelist

Morality, Beauty, Duty, Life

25

"Do not let the evil become our masters, but make the good reign upon the world."

"Do not let the evil become our masters, but make the good reign upon the world."

Abhijit Naskar, Indian Author

Morality, Truth, Wisdom, Power, Today

25

"If person have excuse for Every bad thing which use to do with others.than its wrong soul in human body."

"If person have excuse for Every bad thing which use to do with others.than its wrong soul in human body."

Mohammed Zaki Ansari, Indian Writer

Morality, Responsibility, Integrity, Judgment

25

"Ingratitude is the essence of vileness."

"Ingratitude is the essence of vileness."

Immanuel Kant, German Philosopher

Morality, Ingratitude

24

"Morality is the weakness of the brain."

"Morality is the weakness of the brain."

Arthur Rimbaud, French Poet

Morality, Weakness

24

"If you woke before dawn one morning with the formula for a vaccine, which would cure the most ghastly disease currently known to man, releasing millions from an agonising death, would you roll over and resume sleeping until daylight?"

"If you woke before dawn one morning with the formula for a vaccine, which would cure the most ghastly disease currently known to man, releasing millions from an agonising death, would you roll over and resume sleeping until daylight?"

Chris Murray, Irish Author

Morality, Sacrifice, Choice, Life

24

"Even if I believed I was doing good- for who I am to presume what is good for others?"

"Even if I believed I was doing good- for who I am to presume what is good for others?"

Marissa Meyer, American Author

Morality, Intention, Action, Reflection

24

"Repeat a lie a hundred times and it becomes an ideal."

"Repeat a lie a hundred times and it becomes an ideal."

Ljupka Cvetanova, Macedonian Author

Morality, Lies, Deception, Truth, Power

24

"Who are the lunatics? The ones who see horror in the heart of their fellow humans and search for peace at any price? Or the ones who pretend they don't see what's going on around them? The world belongs either to lunatics or hypocrites. There are no other races on this earth. You must choose which one to belong to."

"Who are the lunatics? The ones who see horror in the heart of their fellow humans and search for peace at any price? Or the ones who pretend they don't see what's going on around them? The world belongs either to lunatics or hypocrites. There are no other races on this earth. You must choose which one to belong to."

Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Spanish Novelist

Morality, Truth, Peace, Humanity, Choice

24

"Is there not a sort of blood shed when the conscience is wounded? Through this wound a man's real manhood and immortality flow out, and he bleeds to an everlasting death."

"Is there not a sort of blood shed when the conscience is wounded? Through this wound a man's real manhood and immortality flow out, and he bleeds to an everlasting death."

Henry David Thoreau, American Author

Morality, Conscience, Blood, Mortality, Death

24

"Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another."

"Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another."

Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Leader

Morality, Truth, Peace, Philosophy

24

"I have to live for others and not for myself: that's middle-class morality."

"I have to live for others and not for myself: that's middle-class morality."

George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist

24

"But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful!"

"But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful!"

Friedrich Nietzsche, German Philosopher

Morality, Punishment, Trust, Justice, Emotion

24

"If you are good, they say you are weak."

"If you are good, they say you are weak."

Dejan Stojanovic, Serbian Philosopher

Morality, Goodness, Weakness, Perception

24

"The Ten Commandments are the most visible symbol because these commandments are recognized by Christians and Jews alike as being the foundation of our system of public morality."

"The Ten Commandments are the most visible symbol because these commandments are recognized by Christians and Jews alike as being the foundation of our system of public morality."

Pat Robertson, American Clergyman

Morality, Being, Public, Symbol

24

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