Virtue is an absolute Amen, uttered with reference to the obscure ends that Providence pursues through us. Renan.
Virtue is an angel; but she is a blind one, and must ask of Knowledge to show her the pathway that leads to her goal. Mere knowledge, on the other hand, like a Swiss mercenary, is ready to combat either in the ranks of sin or under the banners of righteousness: ready to forge cannon-balls or to print New Testaments; to navigate a corsair's vessel or a missionary ship. Horace Mann.
Virtue is beauty; but the beauteous-evil / Are empty trunks o'erflourished by the devil. Twelfth Night, iii. 4.
Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Meas. for Meas., iii. 1.
Virtue is choked with foul ambition. 2 Hen. VI., iii. 1.
Virtue is free-will to choose the good, not 5 tool-usefulness to forge at the expedient. Carlyle.
Virtue is its own reward, and brings with it the truest and highest pleasures; but they who cultivate it for the pleasure's sake are selfish, not religions, and will never have the pleasure, because they never can have the virtue. Newman.
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set. Bacon.
Virtue is like precious odours, most fragrant where they are incensed or crushed. Bacon.
Virtue is necessary to a republic. Montesquieu.