--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only impregnable citadel of virtue is…" description: "\"The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for there is no bulwark of mere morality, which some temptation may not overtop or undermine, and d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06c/jane-porter-9947_character_the-only-impregnable-citadel-of-virtue-i_1605294.jpg" --- # The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for… ![“The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for there is no bulwark of mere morality, which some temptation may not overtop or undermine, and destroy.” quote by Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06c/jane-porter-9947_character_the-only-impregnable-citadel-of-virtue-i_1605294.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06c/jane-porter-9947_character_the-only-impregnable-citadel-of-virtue-i_1605294.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06c/jane-porter-9947_character_the-only-impregnable-citadel-of-virtue-i_1605294.jpg) > “The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for there is no bulwark of mere morality, which some temptation may not overtop or undermine, and destroy.” [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Virtue cannot rely solely on religion; morality alone is vulnerable to temptation and decay. **In simple terms:** Religion alone can't guarantee virtue. Key Takeaway Cultivate moral reasoning beyond faith. Themes morality religion virtue Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal decision making - legal systems - education - leadership - civic discourse Key Concepts ethical philosophy secularism human nature Questions to Reflect On - Is secular morality sufficient? - Can religion and morality coexist? A Different Perspective Religious frameworks can still offer moral guidance for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [There is no morality without temptation; otherwise it is just lack of opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-hargreaves/there-is-no-morality-without-temptation-otherwise-it-is-just-lack-of/) [Andy Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-hargreaves/) > [Where there is no free agency, there can be no morality. Where there is no temptation, there can be little claim to virtue. Where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/where-there-is-no-free-agency-there-can-be-no-morality-where-there-is/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [“Religion is, as I say, something universal and something human, and something impossible to eradicate, nor would I want to eradicate it. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/religion-is-as-i-say-something-universal-and-something-human-and/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [“Faith is the exact opposite of science and yet they peddle it as a virtue. Religion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lugeons/faith-is-the-exact-opposite-of-science-and-yet-they-peddle-it-as-a/) [Noah Lugeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lugeons/) > [Which is more misshapen,--religion without virtue, or virtue without religion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/which-is-more-misshapen-religion-without-virtue-or-virtue-without/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) > [A woman mixed of such fine elements That were all virtue and religion dead She'd make them newly, being what she was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/a-woman-mixed-of-such-fine-elements-that-were-all-virtue-and-religion/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [The institution of religion exists only to keep mankind in order, and to make men merit the goodness of God by their virtue. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-institution-of-religion-exists-only-to-keep-mankind-in-order-and/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Frequent and violent temptations were a proof that the citadel of the soul had not fallen and that the devil raged to make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/frequent-and-violent-temptations-were-a-proof-that-the-citadel-of-the/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It has been wisely said, "that well may thy guardian angel suffer thee to lose thy locks, when thou darest wilfully to lay thy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/it-has-been-wisely-said-that-well-may-thy-guardian-angel-suffer-thee/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [The cross does not give us a minor shift or two with regard to a few of our ethical and moral and religious values.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-martin/the-cross-does-not-give-us-a-minor-shift-or-two-with-regard-to-a-few/) Albert Martin > [I remember being really interested in the sad parts of Los Angeles, of which there are many, and knowing we weren't up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-harron/i-remember-being-really-interested-in-the-sad-parts-of-los-angeles-of/) [Mary Harron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-harron/) > [The City of New York is like an enormous citadel, a modern Carcassonne. Walking between the magnificent skyscrapers one feels the presence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-city-of-new-york-is-like-an-enormous-citadel-a-modern-carcassonne/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [The very act of faith by which we receive Christ is an act of the utter renunciation of self, and all its works, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hopkins/the-very-act-of-faith-by-which-we-receive-christ-is-an-act-of-the/) [Mark Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hopkins/) > [I fear the vermin that shall undermineSenate and citadel and school and shrine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-markham/i-fear-the-vermin-that-shall-underminesenate-and-citadel-and-school/) [Edwin Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-markham/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jane Porter > [none are fit judges of greatness but those who are capable of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/none-are-fit-judges-of-greatness-but-those-who-are-capable-of-it/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [It is not designed that the road should be made too smooth for us here upon earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/it-is-not-designed-that-the-road-should-be-made-too-smooth-for-us/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [Yet happiness isn't something you chase, it's something you are. It's something you think, it's something you believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/yet-happiness-isn-t-something-you-chase-it-s-something-you-are-it-s/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [Guilt is a spiritual Rubicon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/guilt-is-a-spiritual-rubicon/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [The mob is a sort of bear; while your ring is through its nose, it will even dance under your cudgel; but should the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/the-mob-is-a-sort-of-bear-while-your-ring-is-through-its-nose-it-will/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [Goodness is equally hateful to the wicked, as vice is to the virtuous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/goodness-is-equally-hateful-to-the-wicked-as-vice-is-to-the-virtuous/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [I never yet heard man or woman much abused that I was not inclined to think the better of them, and to transfer the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/i-never-yet-heard-man-or-woman-much-abused-that-i-was-not-inclined-to/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [Imparting knowledge is only lighting other men's candles at our lamp without depriving ourselves of any flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/imparting-knowledge-is-only-lighting-other-men-s-candles-at-our-lamp/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/happiness-is-a-sunbeam-which-may-pass-through-a-thousand-bosoms/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [It has been wisely said, "that well may thy guardian angel suffer thee to lose thy locks, when thou darest wilfully to lay thy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/it-has-been-wisely-said-that-well-may-thy-guardian-angel-suffer-thee/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [“Don’t. Don’t say you’ve changed your mind. You promised me!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/don-t-don-t-say-you-ve-changed-your-mind-you-promised-me/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [“God forgive her, but underneath the smiles and the good job and the great family, she was tired. Desperately tired. Tired to the point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/god-forgive-her-but-underneath-the-smiles-and-the-good-job-and-the/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [How different is the ready hand, tearful eye, and soothing voice, from the ostentatious appearance which is called pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/how-different-is-the-ready-hand-tearful-eye-and-soothing-voice-from/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [The flatterer easily insinuates himself into the closet, while honest merit stands shivering in the hall or antechamber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/the-flatterer-easily-insinuates-himself-into-the-closet-while-honest/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [Where there is any good disposition, confidence begets faithfulness; but distrust, if it do not produce treachery; never fails to destroy every inclination to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/where-there-is-any-good-disposition-confidence-begets-faithfulness/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) [Explore all 69 Jane Porter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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