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?

There will be vice as long as there are men.

There will be vice as long as there are men.

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

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

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

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.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

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.

The worst vice of a fanatic is his sincerity.

The worst vice of a fanatic is his sincerity.

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.