Definitions

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  • noun Plural form of virtue.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Indeed, we seem to be reading a description no longer of the virtues of the bay laurel, but of the _virtues_ of all beautiful sights and sounds, of all beautiful thoughts and emotions, in reading the following quaint and charming words of an old herbal: --

    Laurus Nobilis Chapters on Art and Life Vernon Lee 1895

  • But vices are necessary to his existence as well as virtues: he is at war with a tribe that may destroy his own; and treachery without scruple, cruelty without remorse, are essential to him; he feels their necessity, and calls them _virtues_!

    Alice, or the Mysteries — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • But vices are necessary to his existence as well as virtues: he is at war with a tribe that may destroy his own; and treachery without scruple, cruelty without remorse, are essential to him; he feels their necessity, and calls them _virtues_!

    Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 06 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • We may then sum up by saying that Lord Byron generally established on an impregnable rock, guarded by unbending principles, those great virtues to which principles are essential; but that, after making these treasures secure -- for treasures they are to the man of honor and worth -- once having placed them beyond the reach of sensibility and sentiment, he may sometimes have allowed the _lesser virtues_ (within ordinary bonds) such indulgence as flowed from his kindly nature, and such as his youth rendered natural to a feeling heart and ardent imagination.

    Lord Byron jugé par les témoins de sa vie. English Teresa Guiccioli 1836

  • And since it deals with human relationships, it must be an humane science, one dependent, as are all the humane sciences, on norms of human conduct, norms which we call virtues and morals.

    Archive 2009-08-01 John M 2009

  • This is what I call the virtues that appear during the lean years.

    CLOSING OF FARMERS CONGRESS 1987

  • The world taken _en masse_ is a monster, crammed with prejudices, packed with prepossessions, cankered with what it calls virtues, a puritan, a prig.

    The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

  • As a basis for such a connection as has subsisted between the powers of Europe, we had nothing to fear, but from the lapses and frailties of men, -- and that was enough; but this new pretended republic has given us more to apprehend from what they call their virtues than we had to dread from the vices of other men.

    The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 06 (of 12) Edmund Burke 1763

  • Admit then, according to your own principles, that God cannot have what we call virtues, and that man cannot be virtuous with respect to him.

    Good Sense Paul Henri Thiry Holbach 1756

  • "We take responsibility for our kids, not only their academics but what we call their virtues," Principal Ken Soerens told me.

    JSOnline.com 2010

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