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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I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores
I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores
The heart resolves this matter in a trice,
"Men only feel the smart, but not the vice."
The heart resolves this matter in a trice,
"Men only feel the smart, but not the 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.
A vice is a failure of desire.
A vice is a failure of desire.
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.
He hadn't a single redeeming vice.
He hadn't a single redeeming vice.
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?
Many without punishment, none without sin.
Many without punishment, none without sin.
