Wild oats make a bad autumn crop.

Wild oats make a bad autumn crop.

Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask

Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Vices are often habits rather than passions.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

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.

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.

Ne'er blush'd, unless, in spreading vice's snares,
She blunder'd on some virtue unawares.

Ne'er blush'd, unless, in spreading vice's snares,
She blunder'd on some virtue unawares.

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices