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

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

Nurse one vice in your bosom. Give it the attention it deserves and let your virtues spring p modestly around read more

Nurse one vice in your bosom. Give it the attention it deserves and let your virtues spring p modestly around it. Then you'll have the miser who's no liar; and the drunkard who's the benefactor of the whole city.

O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty's read more

O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty's veil doth cover every blot
And all things turns to fair that eyes can see!

The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have read more

The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.

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.

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

The willing contemplation of vice is vice.

The willing contemplation of vice is vice.