The sick do not ask if the hand that smoothes their pillow is pure, nor the dying care if the read more

The sick do not ask if the hand that smoothes their pillow is pure, nor the dying care if the lips that touch their brow have known the kiss of sin.

Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible.

Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible.

That water which wall from some Alpine height is dashed, broken,
and will murmur loudly, but grows limpid by read more

That water which wall from some Alpine height is dashed, broken,
and will murmur loudly, but grows limpid by its fall.
[It., Quell' onda, che ruina
Dalla pendice alpina,
Balza, si frange, e mormora
Ma limpida si fa.]

Purity of heart is to will one thing.

Purity of heart is to will one thing.

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are
defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but read more

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are
defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and
conscience is defiled.

What will the stream become in its lengthened course, if it be so
turpid as its source?
[It., read more

What will the stream become in its lengthened course, if it be so
turpid as its source?
[It., Qual diverra quel fiume,
Nel lungo suo cammino,
Se al fonte ancor vicino
E torbido cosi?]

We are not naïve enough to ask for pure men; we ask merely for men whose impurity does not conflict read more

We are not naïve enough to ask for pure men; we ask merely for men whose impurity does not conflict with the obligations of their job.

The plastic virtues: purity, unity, and truth, keep nature in subjection.

The plastic virtues: purity, unity, and truth, keep nature in subjection.

Purity is the feminine, truth the masculine of honor.

Purity is the feminine, truth the masculine of honor.