--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The paths of virtue, though seldom those…" description: "\"The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.\" — Walter Scott" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/walter-scott-775_character_the-paths-of-virtue-though-seldom-those_348062.png" --- # The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly… ![“The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.” quote by Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/walter-scott-775_character_the-paths-of-virtue-though-seldom-those_348062.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/walter-scott-775_character_the-paths-of-virtue-though-seldom-those_348062.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/walter-scott-775_character_the-paths-of-virtue-though-seldom-those_348062.png) > “The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.” [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Virtue brings inner peace and pleasantness even if it does not lead to fame or material success. **In simple terms:** Being virtuous feels peaceful, regardless of fame. Key Takeaway Value inner peace over external accolades. Themes virtue peace inner fulfillment humility Mood reflective calm Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal decision making - leadership choices - conflict resolution - career paths Key Concepts moral philosophy ethical living contentment Questions to Reflect On - What does peace look like in your daily life? - How can you practice virtue without seeking recognition? A Different Perspective Virtue may be undervalued in societies that prioritize wealth and status. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Greatness Pleasantness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness-pleasantness-3220346/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Paths Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paths-virtue-3220344/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Pleasantness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasantness/) [Pleasantness Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasantness-peace-3220345/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Seldom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-seldom-3220343/) [Worldly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worldly/) ## Related quotes > [Guilt, though it may attain temporal splendor, can never confer real happiness; the evil consequences of our crimes long survive their commission, and, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/guilt-though-it-may-attain-temporal-splendor-can-never-confer-real/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Patience is a virtue seldom in a woman never in a man...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/patience-is-a-virtue-seldom-in-a-woman-never-in-a-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The preaching of divines helps to preserve well-inclined men in the course of virtue, but seldom or ever reclaims the vicious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/the-preaching-of-divines-helps-to-preserve-well-inclined-men-in-the/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Fine blunderers in ethics we are, so generally conveying to children the basic impression that pleasantness must be wrong, and right doing unpleasant!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-perkins-gilman/fine-blunderers-in-ethics-we-are-so-generally-conveying-to-children/) [Charlotte Perkins Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-perkins-gilman/) > [While truth is always bitter, pleasantness waits upon evildoing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/while-truth-is-always-bitter-pleasantness-waits-upon-evildoing/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [“A confident woman wears a smile and has this air of comfortability and pleasantness about her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agu-jaachynma-n-e/a-confident-woman-wears-a-smile-and-has-this-air-of-comfortability/) [Agu Jaachynma N.E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agu-jaachynma-n-e/) > [Pleasantness was the machismo of the Midwest. There was something athletic about it. You flexed your face into a smile and let it hover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/pleasantness-was-the-machismo-of-the-midwest-there-was-something/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [“your success in the world depends essentially on how well you harness the prowess of the body and mind. So, in order to achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhguru/your-success-in-the-world-depends-essentially-on-how-well-you-harness/) [Sadhguru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhguru/) > [It is our daily duty to consider that in all circumstances of life, pleasurable, painful, or otherwise, the conduct of others, especially of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-hunt/it-is-our-daily-duty-to-consider-that-in-all-circumstances-of-life/) [Leigh Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-hunt/) > [My favorite thing to wear is a smile!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorinda-frankenberry/my-favorite-thing-to-wear-is-a-smile/) [Lorinda Frankenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorinda-frankenberry/) > [I am afraid that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-am-afraid-that-the-pleasantness-of-an-employment-does-not-always/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“becomes pleasant, we call this peace. If it becomes very pleasant, we call this joy. If your emotions become pleasant, we call this love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhguru/becomes-pleasant-we-call-this-peace-if-it-becomes-very-pleasant-we/) [Sadhguru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhguru/) > [“Optimism: That effervescent, blindingly- bright, perky, chipper, twittering quality you want to squash out of annoying people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/optimism-that-effervescent-blindingly-bright-perky-chipper-twittering/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [“There was a pleasantness to the air and a spirit about the town that did not come from its color, but from some inner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/there-was-a-pleasantness-to-the-air-and-a-spirit-about-the-town-that/) [gail carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“...the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/the-pleasantness-of-an-employment-does-not-always-evince-its-propriety/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) ## More by Walter Scott > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Where shall the lover rest, Whom the fates sever From his true maiden's breast, Parted for ever? 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And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/o-many-a-shaft-at-random-sent-finds-mark-the-archer-little-meant-and/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [And better had they ne'er been born, Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/and-better-had-they-ne-er-been-born-who-read-to-doubt-or-read-to-scorn/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Where is the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land as Scotland?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-is-the-coward-that-would-not-dare-to-fight-for-such-a-land-as/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Loud o'er my head though awful thunders roll, And vivid lightnings flash from pole to pole, Yet 'tis Thy voice, my God, that bids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/loud-o-er-my-head-though-awful-thunders-roll-and-vivid-lightnings/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The race of humankind would perish did they cease to aid each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-race-of-humankind-would-perish-did-they-cease-to-aid-each-other/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“but he had only received that sort of answer usually given by those who are more obstinate in following their own course, than strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-he-had-only-received-that-sort-of-answer-usually-given-by-those/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, and men below, and the saints above, for love is heaven, and heaven is love. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/love-rules-the-court-the-camp-the-grove-and-men-below-and-the-saints/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Fortune may raise up or abuse the ordinary mortal, but the sage and the soldier should have minds beyond her control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/fortune-may-raise-up-or-abuse-the-ordinary-mortal-but-the-sage-and/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [But woe awaits a country when She sees the tears of bearded men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-woe-awaits-a-country-when-she-sees-the-tears-of-bearded-men/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [In peace, Love tunes the shepherd's reed; In war, he mounts the warrior's steed; In halls, in gay attire is seen; In hamlets, dances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/in-peace-love-tunes-the-shepherd-s-reed-in-war-he-mounts-the-warrior/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Honour is a homicide and a bloodspiller, that gangs about making frays in the street; but Credit is a decent honest man, that sits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/honour-is-a-homicide-and-a-bloodspiller-that-gangs-about-making-frays/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“The lovers of the chase say that the hare feels more agony during the pursuit of the greyhounds, than when she is struggling in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-lovers-of-the-chase-say-that-the-hare-feels-more-agony-during-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [I am she, O most bucolical juvenal, under whose charge are placed the milky mothers of the herd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/i-am-she-o-most-bucolical-juvenal-under-whose-charge-are-placed-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) [Explore all 372 Walter Scott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## 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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