In Praise of Virtue (souls, America, Isaac, verses)

[Mahayana]

The virtue of a man ought to be measured not by his extraordinary exertions, but by his every-day conduct.

Pascal

[Glu Glukan]

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Thank you Mahayana for nudging my noodle to remember Alexander Pope.

HAPPY the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air
In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire;
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

Blest, who can unconcern’dly find
Hours, days, and years, slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day.

Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix’d, sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please
With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

Alexander Pope, from his poem "Solitude".

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[Glu Glukan]

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None of us choose our end, really.
A king may move a man, a father may claim a son...
but remember-- that even when those that move you
be kings or men of power
your soul is in your keeping alone.

When you stand before God
you cannot say that I was told by others to do so
or that virtue was not convenient at the time.
This will not suffice.
Remember that.

Baldwin IV, King of Jerusalem 1174-1185,
quote from the epic movie "Kingdom of Heaven" (recommend: the Director's Cut)

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[Mahayana]

Suspicion is far more apt to be wrong than right; oftener unjust than just. It is no friend to virtue, and always an enemy to happiness.

Hosea Ballou

[Mahayana]

All bow to virtue, and then walk away.

J. De Finod

[Matthew 4:4]

Originally Posted by Mahayana

There are many virtues found in all spiritual traditions. The reasons or explanations for valuing virtues differ, but the living of them is more important for most of we humans.
Cicero

... and as Philippians 4:8 says to consider (or meditate) on whatever things are true, whatever thing are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste or pure, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.

[Mahayana]

By virtue of the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, the Bodhi tree constantly gave forth sublime sounds speaking various truths without end.

Avatamsaka Sutra, ch. 1

[Mahayana]

The great slight the men of wit who have nothing but wit; the men of wit despise the great who have nothing but greatness; the good man pities them both, if with greatness or wit, they have not virtue.

Bruyere.

[Rbbi1]

Mark 5:30 "And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?" Jesus

[Mahayana]

Valor, cleanness of heart, steadfast union with illumination, generous giving, control, sacrifice, study, fervor, righteousness,

Gentleness, truth, freedom from anger, detachment, peace, loyalty, pity for all beings, an unlascivious mind, mildness, modesty, steadfastness,

Fire, patience, firmness, purity, good-will, absence of conceit, these belong to him who is born to the godlike portion!

Hypocrisy, pride, vanity, anger, meanness, unwisdom, these are his, who is born to the demoniac portion. The godlike portion makes for liberation, and the demoniac for bondage.

Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 16:1-4