157. VIRTUE AND VICE.

VIRTUE.

Virtue implies opposition or struggle. In man the struggle is between right and wrong. To hold by the former is virtue, to yield to the latter is vice.

-FLEMING.

Virtue dwells not in the tongue but in the heart.

It is not the business of virtue to extirpate the affections, but to regulate them.

Virtue is the only solid basis of greatness.

-JOHNSON.

The only amaranthine flower on earth

Is virtue; the only lasting treasure truth.

-COWPER.

The moral cement of all society is virtue, it unites and preserves, while vice separates and destroys. The good may well be termed the salt of the earth. For where there is no integrity, there can be no confidence; and where there is no confidence, there can be no unanimity.

-COLTON.

Virtue is the link of all perfections, the centre of all the felicities. She it is that makes a man prudent, discreet, sagacious, cautious, wise, courageous,

thoughtful, trustworthy, happy, honoured, truthful, and a universal hero.

*

A man's capacity and greatness are to be measured by his virtue and not by his fortune. She alone is allsufficient. She makes men loveable in life, memorable after death.*

Collect a large sum of the virtues; thence
A goodly harvest must to thee arise.

Be meek, devout, and friendly, full of love,
Intent to do good to the human race,
And to all creatures sentient made of God;
And oh, be humble, for on modest worth
Descends prosperity, even as water flows
Down to low grounds.†

-TORU DUTT.

Kindness of heart, and gentleness of speech,
Modest demeanour, innocence of thought,
Unsullied nature, and devout associates,-

These are the charms and mystic powers of virtue,
And, with sincerity united, hallow

The grossness of existence.

" UTTARA RAMA CHARITA."‡

Fix it in your mind, engrave it on your heart, that virtue is not arbitrary,—

But something true, fixed, essential-not by precept and command alone,

• From Gracian's Art of Worldly Wisdom, translated from the Spanish by Jacobs.

† From Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustân.

A drama translated from Sanskrit, by H. H. Wilson.

But by necessity of nature, and, therefore, not to be infringed without due punishment,—

Here or hereafter-certain, sure, inevitable, impossible to escape;

This be your principle, and ever when the world with syren smile would tempt,

And prodigal in allurement would betray, let it be your beacon-fire and guide.

-CHARLES HENRY HANGER.

Firmly fix your mind in the path of virtue :
Constantly advance in virtuous habits:
Acquaint yourself with perfect virtue.*

-CONFUCIUS.

For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds,
And though a late, a sure reward succeeds.

-W. CONGREVE.

The praise of riches and beauty is frail and transitory virtue alone is clear and eternal.

The path of virtue is the path of peace.

-SALLUST.

To take delight in doing good,
In justice, truth, and gratitude,

In aiding those whom cares oppress,
Administ'ring comfort to distress;

These, these are joys which all who prove
Anticipate the bliss above.

These are the joys, and these alone

We ne'er repent, or wish undone.*

By thee inspired, O virtue, age is young,
And music warbles from the faltering tongue :
Thy ray creative cheers the clouded brow,
And decks the faded cheek with rosy glow,
Brightens the joyless aspect, and supplies
Pure heavenly lustre to the languid eyes:
But when youth's living bloom reflects thy beams,
Resistless on the view the glory streams:
Love, wonder, joy, alternately alarm,
And beauty dazzles with angelic charm.

--BEATTIE.

Riches, power, and greatness may be taken away from us by the violence and injustice of others, or by inevitable accidents; but virtue depends only upon ourselves, and nobody can take it away from us. Sickness may deprive us of all the pleasures of the body; but it cannot deprive us of our virtue, nor of the satisfaction which we feel from it. A virtuous man, under all the misfortunes of life, still finds an inward comfort and satisfaction, which makes him happier than any wicked man can be, with all the other advantages of life.

--LORD CHESTERFIELD.

From Bewick's Select Fables.

The virtuous man that is calm and quiet, and friendly to all living beings, feels the benign influence of highest truths appearing of themselves in his mind.

From lowest place when virtuous things proceed,
The place is dignified by the doer's deed.

-SHAKESPEARE.

Knowledge produces pleasure clear as water; complete virtue, happiness solid as a mountain; knowledge pervades all things; virtue is tranquil and happy; knowledge is delight; virtue is long life.t

-CONFUCIUS.

The sweetest cordial we receive, at last,
Is conscience of our virtuous actions past.

Virtue is her own reward.

-DENHAM.

--DRYDEN.

He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause.

-SHAKESPEARE.

He who lives a virtuous life obtains everlasting happiness.

For, after him, the mention of his good deeds will keep his name alive.

Translated by Vihari Lala Mitra.

+From Marshman's Works of Confucius.