Character Quote by Anonymous
““Some men have been virtuous blindly, others have speculated fantastically, and others have been shrewd to bad purposes; but you, sir, I am sure, will give under your hand, nothing but what is at the same moment, wise, practical and good, your account of yourself (for I suppose the parallel I am drawing for Dr. Franklin, will hold not only in point of character, but of private history) will show that you are ashamed of no origin; a thing the more important, as you prove how little necessary all origin is to happiness, virtue, or greatness. As no end likewise happens without a means, so we shall find, sir, that even you yourself framed a plan by which you became considerable; but at the same time we may see that though the event is flattering, the means are as simple as wisdom could make them; that is, depending upon nature, virtue, thought and habit.””
About This Quote
The passage argues that virtue and practical wisdom can arise without concern for origin, emphasizing that means—nature, thought, habit—are simple and essential.
In simple terms: Virtue comes from simple, practical habits, not lineage.
Key Takeaway
Focus on simple, practical habits to develop virtue.
Themes
virtue
wisdom
practicality
origin
habit
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- education
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human nature
self‑improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- What simple habits can you adopt for wisdom?
- How does ignoring origin affect identity?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting origins may overlook valuable cultural context.
