A man's very highest moment is, I have no doubt at all, when he kneels in the dust, and beats read more

A man's very highest moment is, I have no doubt at all, when he kneels in the dust, and beats his breast, and tells all the sins of his life.

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,
But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
When read more

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,
But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
When we would bring him on to some confession
Of his true state.

Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.

Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution

There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.

There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.

Confessed faults are half-mended.

Confessed faults are half-mended.

There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession

There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff--it is a read more

Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff--it is a palliative rather than a remedy.