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.

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

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

Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual.

Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual.

There will be vice as long as there are men.

There will be vice as long as there are men.

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.

The vices we scoff at in others, laugh at us within ourselves.

The vices we scoff at in others, laugh at us within ourselves.

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

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.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.