If you pretend to be good, the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad, it doesn't. read more

If you pretend to be good, the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad, it doesn't. Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism.

If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.

If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.

To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.

To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.

Can one desire too much of a good thing?

Can one desire too much of a good thing?

What's the good of it? for whose advantage?
[Lat., Cui bono?]

What's the good of it? for whose advantage?
[Lat., Cui bono?]

Look around the habitable world, how few
Know their own good, or knowing it, pursue.

Look around the habitable world, how few
Know their own good, or knowing it, pursue.

Mere goodness can achieve little against the power of nature.

Mere goodness can achieve little against the power of nature.

The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less read more

The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honours.

There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws, would read more

There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws, would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.