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.

Because indeed there was never law, or sect, or opinion, did so
much magnify goodness, as the Christian religion read more

Because indeed there was never law, or sect, or opinion, did so
much magnify goodness, as the Christian religion doth.

Now, at a certain time, in pleasant mood,
He tried the luxury of doing good.

Now, at a certain time, in pleasant mood,
He tried the luxury of doing good.

Whatever any one does or says, I must be good.

Whatever any one does or says, I must be good.

Goodness speaks in a whisper, evil shouts

Goodness speaks in a whisper, evil shouts

Mere goodness can achieve little against the power of nature.

Mere goodness can achieve little against the power of nature.

On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good and not quite all the time.

On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good and not quite all the time.

Men in no way approach so nearly to the gods as in doing good to
men.
[Lat., Homines read more

Men in no way approach so nearly to the gods as in doing good to
men.
[Lat., Homines ad deos nulla re propius accedunt, quam salutem
hominibus dando.]

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.