Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

Ne'er blush'd, unless, in spreading vice's snares,
She blunder'd on some virtue unawares.

Ne'er blush'd, unless, in spreading vice's snares,
She blunder'd on some virtue unawares.

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 may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice

Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice

To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down.

To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down.

If individuals have no vices, their virtues may be of use to us.

If individuals have no vices, their virtues may be of use to us.

Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.

Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.

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