Little men,” he once said, “spend their days in pursuit of…
““Little men,” he once said, “spend their days in pursuit of such things. I know from experience that at the moment of their deaths they see their lives shattered before them like glass. I’ve seen them die. They fall away as if they have been pushed, and the expressions on their faces are those of the most unbelieving surprise. Not so, the man who knows the virtues and lives by them. The world goes this way and that. Ideas are in fashion or not, and those who should prevail are often defeated. But it doesn’t matter. The virtues remain uncorrupted and uncorruptible. They are rewards in themselves, the bulwarks with which we can protect our vision of beauty, and the strengths by which we may stand, unperturbed, in the storm that comes when seeking God.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Virtue endures beyond fleeting ideas; living by moral principles shields one from existential shock at death.
In simple terms: Virtue protects against life's chaos.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate lasting virtues.
Themes
virtue
philosophy
existential
resilience
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- facing mortality
- ethical decision making
- spiritual seeking
- leadership
- personal growth
Key Concepts
moral integrity
spirituality
beauty
vision
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we practice virtue daily?
- What virtues guide your life?
A Different Perspective
Virtue alone may not change external circumstances.