It appears evident, therefore, that those actions only can truly be called virtuous, and deserving of moral approbation, which the agent believed to be right, and to which he was influenced, more or less, by that belief.
Interpretation
Moral actions are determined by the agent's belief in their righteousness.
This quote by Thomas Reid emphasizes the importance of belief in determining the morality of an action. It suggests that true virtue lies not only in the actions themselves but significantly in the agent's understanding and conviction that those actions are morally right. Therefore, for an action to be deemed virtuous, it must stem from a genuine belief in its righteousness, as mere compliance without conviction lacks moral worth.
In practice
During a philosophy class discussion on ethics.
There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words. To this chiefly it is owing that we find sects and parties in most branches of science [and politics]; and disputes that are carried on from age to age, without being brought to issue.
The laws of nature are the rules according to which the effects are produced; but there must be a cause which operates according to these rules. The laws of navigation never navigated a ship. The rules of architecture never built a house.
Every indication of wisdom, taken from the effect, is equally an indication of power to execute what wisdom planned.
A bullet can kill the enemy, but a bullet can also produce an enemy, depending on whom that bullet strikes.
Feel the delight of walking in the noisy street and being the noise.
Many of us Christians have become extremely skillful in arranging our lives so as to admit the truth of Christianity without being embarrassed by its implications. We arrange things so that we can get on well enough without divine aid, while at the same time ostensibly seeking it. We boast in the Lord but watch carefully that we never get caught depending on Him.
Attempts to defend amusement parks and circuses on the grounds that they 'educate' people about animals should not be taken seriously. Such enterprises are part of the commercial entertainment industry. The most important lesson they teach impressionable young minds is that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity for human amusement.
There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
The only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of governments while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies and instincts of masses.
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