Benjamin Franklin - Virtue Quotes

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God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter.

Benjamin Franklin
I am about courting a girl I have had but little acquaintance with. How shall I come to a knowledge of her faults, and whether she has the virtues I imagine she has? Answer. Commend her among her female acquaintances.

Benjamin Franklin
Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all virtues. Be active in business, that temptation may miss her aim; the bird that sits is easily shot.

Benjamin Franklin
If a sound body and a sound mind, which is as much as to say health and virtue, are to be preferred before all other considerations, ought not men, in choosing a business either for themselves or children, to refuse such as are unwholesome for the body, and such as make a man too dependent, too much obliged to please others, and too much subjected to their humors in order to be recommended and get a livelihood?

Benjamin Franklin
Virtue may not always make a Face handsome, but Vice will certainly make it ugly.

Benjamin Franklin
Virtue alone is sufficient to make a man great, glorious, and happy.

Benjamin Franklin
Whoever feels pain in hearing a good character of his neighbor, will feel a pleasure in the reverse. And those who despair to rise in distinction by their virtues, are happy if others can be depressed to a level of themselves.

Benjamin Franklin
Hast thou virtue? acquire also the graces and beauties of virtue.

Benjamin Franklin
What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.

Benjamin Franklin
I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance.

Benjamin Franklin
Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.

Benjamin Franklin
Remember me affectionately to good Dr. Price and to the honest heretic Dr. Priestly. I do not call him honest by way of distinction; for I think all the heretics I have known have been virtuous men. They have the virtue of fortitude or they would not venture to own their heresy; and they cannot afford to be deficient in any of the other virtues, as that would give advantage to their many enemies; and they have not like orthodox sinners, such a number of friends to excuse or justify them. Do not, however mistake me. It is not to my good friend's heresy that I impute his honesty. On the contrary, 'tis his honesty that has brought upon him the character of heretic.

Benjamin Franklin
To be proud of virtue, is to poison yourself with the Antidote.

Benjamin Franklin
Industry and frugality, as the means of procuring wealth... thereby [secures] virtue, it being more difficult for a man in want to act always honestly....

Benjamin Franklin
Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History, must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude.

Benjamin Franklin
I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms.

Benjamin Franklin
Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.

Benjamin Franklin
A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district; all studied and appreciated as they merit; are the principal support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty.

Benjamin Franklin
I think vital religion has always suffered when orthodoxy is more regarded than virtue. The scriptures assure me that at the last day we shall not be examined on what we thought but what we did.

Benjamin Franklin
I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. … I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous.

Benjamin Franklin
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.

Benjamin Franklin