Jonathan Edwards Quotes on Virtue
Jonathan Edwards gave the definition of virtue close and original attention, and the quotes gathered here present it. In a formulation marked here as attributed, Edwards held that true virtue consists in benevolence to being in general, a love directed not at particular interests but at the whole order of being, and supremely at God. He also pursued virtue as a strenuous personal discipline. His youthful Resolutions, written as binding rules for his own conduct, include the determination never to lose one moment of time and to live with all his might while he does live. Drawn from The Nature of True Virtue and his private Resolutions and diary, these passages present virtue as both a metaphysical orientation, benevolence toward all being, and a demanding daily practice of self-examination.
Quotes
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Attributed to Jonathan Edwards:
“True virtue consists in benevolence to being in general.”
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“Resolved, never to lose one moment of time.”
No. 5. -
“Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.”
No. 6. -
Attributed to Jonathan Edwards:
“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.”
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“To mark all that I say in conversation, merely to beget in others, a good opinion of myself, and examine it.”
Diary (10 November 1724). -
“Whatever in Christ had the nature of satisfaction, was by virtue of His suffering or humiliation; whatever had the nature of merit, was by virtue of His obedience or righteousness.”
Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers(1895) | p. 489.