Thoughts on Virtue: Thoughts and Reflections from History's Great Thinkers

This is the kind of collection of thoughts that I especially like. It selects sayings of the great thinkers and collects them around the following headings- Adversity, Character,Conscience, Courage, Discipline,Effort, Enthusiasm, Goodness, Happiness, Honesty, Honor, Humility , Justice, Kindness, Love, Principles, Responsibility, Service, Tolerance, Vice. I found it a bit odd that there were no words of wisdom here on how to be in the upper income- class make a lot of money and be nice also. This would seem to me a kind of supreme moral test for Forbes' readers. The introduction to the volume says that Forbes introduced these thoughts on the ' business of life' to inspire " a philosophic mode, broad sympathies, charity towards all. I have faith that the time will eventually come when employees and employers, as well as all mankind, will realize that they serve themselves best when they serve others most" B.C. Forbes To me the motive for the volume sounds wonderful , and it is a principle of life I strive myself to realize. However my sense is that when we speak of the business world, the capitalistic world this may be somewhat highfalutin and hypocritical talk. In any case the small volume is filled with riches, and its parts are better in a sense than the whole( Since I doubt anyone reads it as a whole, but rather dips into it here and there.) Here are some of its gems. " I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct will pursue his principles unto death'. Thomas Paine Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right: decide on what you think is right, and stick to it. George Eliot Tolerance is the positive and cordial effort to understand another's beliefs, practices and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them. Joshua Leibman Courage is the supreme virtue because it is the guarantor of every other virtue. Bergen Evans