6 Rutherford B. Hayes Quotes on Ethics

Rutherford B. Hayes quotes on ethics

12. Virtue is defined to be mediocrity, of which either extreme is vice.

21. You use the phrase 'brutal Rebels.' Don't be cheated in that way. There are enough 'brutal Rebels' no doubt, but we have brutal officers and men too. I have had men brutally treated by our own officers on this raid [to Lynchburg, Va.]. And there are plenty of humane Rebels. I have seen a good deal of it on this trip. War is a cruel business and there is brutality in it on all sides, but it is very idle to get up anxiety on account of any supposed peculiar cruelty on the part of Rebels. Keepers of prisons in Cincinnati, as well as in Danville, are hard-hearted and cruel.

61. The unrestricted competition so commonly advocated does not leave us the survival of the fittest. The unscrupulous succeed best in accumulating wealth.

63. Conscience is the authentic voice of God to you.

64. One of the tests of the civilization of people is the treatment of its criminals.

65. All appointments hurt. Five friends are made cold or hostile for every appointment; no new friends are made. All patronage is perilous to men of real ability or merit. It aids only those who lack other claims to public support.