He cannot be virtuous that is not rigorous. [ English Proverb, collected by George Herbert ]

It is pride which fills the world with so much harshness and severity. We are rigorous to offenses as if we bad never offended. [ Blair ]

Too austere a philosophy makes few wise men; too rigorous politics, few good subjects; too hard a religion, few religious persons whose devotion is of long continuance. [ St. Evremond ]

A woman's life can be divided thus: the age when she dances but does not dare to waltz - it is the spring; the age when she dances and dares to waltz - it is summer; the age when she dances but prefers to waltz - it is autumn; finally, when she dances no longer - it is winter, that rigorous winter of life. [ Mme. de Girardin ]