Those vices [luxury and neglect of decent manners] are vices of
men, not of the times.
[Lat., Hominum read more

Those vices [luxury and neglect of decent manners] are vices of
men, not of the times.
[Lat., Hominum sunt ista [vitia], non temporum.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Virtue, I grant you, is an empty boast;
But shall the dignity of vice be lost?

Virtue, I grant you, is an empty boast;
But shall the dignity of vice be lost?

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

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.

The worst vice of a fanatic is his sincerity.

The worst vice of a fanatic is his sincerity.

This is the essential evil of vice, that it debases man.

This is the essential evil of vice, that it debases man.

Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
He's more secure to keep it shut than shown;
read more

Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
He's more secure to keep it shut than shown;
For vice repeated is like the wand'ring wind,
Blows dust in others' eye, to spread itself;
And yet the end of all is bought thus dear,
The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear
To stop the air would hurt them.

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Vices are often habits rather than passions.