Holy Purity, the queen of virtues, the angelic virtue, is a jewel so precious that those who possess it become like the angels of God in heaven, even though clothed in mortal flesh. (St. John Bosco)
Chastity is the lily of virtues, and makes men almost equal to angels. Everything is beautiful in accordance with its purity. Now the purity of man is chastity, which is called honesty, and the observance of it, honor and also integrity; and its contrary is called corruption; in short, it has this peculiar excellence above the other virtues, that it preserves both soul and body fair and unspotted. (Saint Francis de Sales)
Only those who (observe) brahmacharya will attain to Brahman. For them there is freedom to act as they wish in all the worlds. Now, what people call yajna (sacrifice), that is really brahmacharya. What people call worship (ishta), that is really brahmacharya. What people call Vedic sacrifice, that is really brahmacharya. For only through brahmacharya does one understand the Atman (the Self). (Chandogya Upanishad 8.4.3, 8.5.1-2)
The highest form of tapas (austerity) is the abstinence from sexuality and not in the performance of body-torturing rites. Heroism lies in the conquest of one’s sensual, lustful nature and not in mere combativeness. (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.11.18.43 )
With mind quieted, banishing fear, firm in the brahmachari’s vow, controlling the mind, with thoughts fixed on me, steadfast, he should sit, devoted to me. Always disciplining himself thus, the yogi whose mind is subdued goes to the supreme peace of nirvana, and attains to union with me. (Bhagavad Gita 6:14-15)
That which the knowers of the Veda call the Eternal (Imperishable), which the ascetics free from passion enter, desiring which they live the life of brahmacharya, that path I shall explain unto you briefly. (8:11)
In the higher forms of Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, great stress has been laid on the observance of perfect brahmacharya in thought, word and deed. You find it in the Sermon on the Mount, in the Vinaya Pitaka of Buddhism and in the Upanishads, in the Gita and in the Bhagavatam. A socially accepted form of moral life alone is not enough for a spiritual aspirant. He must attain perfection in moral virtues, especially brahmacharya. (Swami Yatiswarananda)
Know that in this world there is nothing that cannot be attained by one who remains from birth to death a perfect brahmachari. In one person, knowledge of the four Vedas, and in another, perfect brahmacharya–of these, the latter is superior to the former who is wanting in brahmacharya. (The Mahabharata)
I consider my greatest accomplishment to be lifelong celibacy. (Isaac Newton)
Celibacy is a great help, inasmuch as it enables one to lead a life of full surrender to God. (Mahatma Gandhi)