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?

Men wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

Men wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual.

Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual.

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

If you don't want anyone to know it, don't do it.

If you don't want anyone to know it, don't do it.

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.

We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice.

We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice.