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?

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

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

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.

Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.

Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

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.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
He's more secure to keep it shut than shown;
read more

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.