Virtue by calculation is the virtue of vice.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Virtue calculated for reward lacks genuine moral value.
- In plain terms
- Being good only because you want something is not true virtue.
- What can you take from it?
- Act morally for the sake of rightness not reward.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do you do good?
Another view
Everyone has some hidden motive so pure virtue is rare.
More from Joseph Joubert
True religion is the poetry of the heart; it has enchantments useful to our manners; it gives us both happiness and virtue.
Permalink to quote #85 We always believe God is like ourselves, the indulgent think him indulgent and the stern, terrible.
Permalink to quote #87 To teach is to learn twice.
Permalink to quote #84
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