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.

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

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

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?

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.

The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have read more

The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.

One big vice in a man is apt to keep out a great many smaller ones.

One big vice in a man is apt to keep out a great many smaller ones.

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice

Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice

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.