Virtues

Famous quotes containing the word virtues:

    Probably more than youngsters at any age, early adolescents expect the adults they care about to demonstrate the virtues they want demonstrated. They also tend to expect adults they admire to be absolutely perfect. When adults disappoint them, they can be critical and intolerant.
    —The Lions Clubs International and the Quest Nation. The Surprising Years, I, ch.4 (1985)

    Man seems to be capable of great virtues but not of small virtues; capable of defying his torturer but not of keeping his temper.
    Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936)

    The genius of American culture and its integrity comes from fidelity to the light. Plain as day, we say. Happy as the day is long. Early to bed, early to rise. American virtues are daylight virtues: honesty, integrity, plain speech. We say yes when we mean yes and no when we mean no, and all else comes from the evil one. America presumes innocence and even the right to happiness.
    Richard Rodriguez (b. 1944)