How shall I lose the sin yet keep the sense,
And love th' offender, yet detest the offence?

How shall I lose the sin yet keep the sense,
And love th' offender, yet detest the offence?

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall

Sins become more subtle as you grow older: you commit sins of despair rather than lust.

Sins become more subtle as you grow older: you commit sins of despair rather than lust.

I waive the quantum o' the sin,
The hazard of concealing:
But, och! it hardens a' within,
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I waive the quantum o' the sin,
The hazard of concealing:
But, och! it hardens a' within,
And petrifies the feeling!

. . . it is the very nature of sin to prevent man from meditating on spiritual things. . .

. . . it is the very nature of sin to prevent man from meditating on spiritual things. . .

Law can discover sin, but not remove,
Save by those shadowy expiations weak.

Law can discover sin, but not remove,
Save by those shadowy expiations weak.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Every sin is the result of collaboration.

Every sin is the result of collaboration.

I couldn't live in peace if I put the shadow of a wilful sin
between myself and God.

I couldn't live in peace if I put the shadow of a wilful sin
between myself and God.