I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

He possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence; courage without ferocity; and all the virtues of man without his vices

He possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence; courage without ferocity; and all the virtues of man without his vices

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.

Ill habits gather by unseen degrees,As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.

Ill habits gather by unseen degrees,As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
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Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

It is but a step from companionship to slavery when one associates with vice.

It is but a step from companionship to slavery when one associates with vice.

Men wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

Men wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask

Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.