ethics
“Civilization is nothing else than the attempt to reduce the use of force to the last resort.”
“The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”
“Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her head: how can I provide for this right thing to be always done?”
“I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions.”
“What is done out of love is beyond good and evil.”
“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.”
“We are not only responsible for what we do, but also for what we do not do.”
“One ought to look a good while at oneself before thinking of condemning others.”
“I measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings.”
“Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe.”
“They also serve who only stand and wait.”
“The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough of is love.”
“Between a high, solid wall and an egg that breaks against it, I will always stand on the side of the egg.”
“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.”
“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.”
“A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.”
“Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.”
“A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”
“We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.”
“If we had no faults we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others.”