Earlier quoted context omitted.
But was it regarded as virtuous?
The evidence that it was seen as virtuous seems equally plentiful for the past as the present
Few men reach a point of actual virtue in private and secret life. Many more men cleverly signal virtue in their public life yet retreat to vice in private and secret life.
The back bone required to actually be virtuous must be strong enough to stand against any wind in the event all laws of man were laid flat.
True virtue (I assume and make no claim to having it here) may possibly only exist in doing the right thing while answering to no authority while serving no system and while receiving no recognition or comfort of a superiors approval.