Love is the touchstone of virtue.
Meaning: Genuine moral character reveals itself through how deeply and selflessly we treat those we cherish most.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Morality
- If fools went not to market, bad ware would not be sold. — Foolish buyers create demand for inferior goods, enabling unscrupulous sellers to profit…
- Of all the crafts honesty is the master-craft. — Honesty forms the foundation enabling all other virtues and skills to function with genui…
- Good measure is a merry mean. — Moderation in quantity—whether food, drink, or spending—brings contentment without excess…
- It's good to be merry and wise. — Balancing joy with sound judgment ensures happiness doesn't lead to foolish decisions or…
- It is good to be merry at meat. — Nourishment tastes better and digests easier when eaten with joy rather than worry or has…
- Modesty is the handmaid of virtue. — Humble self-awareness prevents pride from corrupting your moral character and actions.
From our compliments & insults
- Eline sağlık — Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.
- És uma joia — You're a gem — a precious, lovely person.
- Sei un salame — You're a clumsy, dopey softie — said with a smile.