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.
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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.
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.
Those vices [luxury and neglect of decent manners] are vices of
men, not of the times.
[Lat., Hominum read more
Those vices [luxury and neglect of decent manners] are vices of
men, not of the times.
[Lat., Hominum sunt ista [vitia], non temporum.
Vice gets more in this vicious world
Than piety.
Vice gets more in this vicious world
Than piety.
Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.
Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.
It is but a step from companionship to slavery when one associates with vice.
It is but a step from companionship to slavery when one associates with vice.
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.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children.
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?
