The purity men love is like the mists which envelope the earth, and not like the azure ether beyond.

The purity men love is like the mists which envelope the earth, and not like the azure ether beyond.

The stream is always purer at its source.
[Fr., Les choses valent toujours mieux dans leur source.]

The stream is always purer at its source.
[Fr., Les choses valent toujours mieux dans leur source.]

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.

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?]

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.]

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.

The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity

The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity

Mud-pies gratify one of our first and best instincts. So long as we are dirty, we are pure.

Mud-pies gratify one of our first and best instincts. So long as we are dirty, we are pure.