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Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.
Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.
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
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us.
Vices are often habits rather than passions.
Vices are often habits rather than passions.
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.
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
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?
Saint Augustine! well hast thou said,
That of our vices we can frame
A ladder, if we read more
Saint Augustine! well hast thou said,
That of our vices we can frame
A ladder, if we will but tread
Beneath our feet each deed of shame.
