This is the essential evil of vice, that it debases man.

This is the essential evil of vice, that it debases man.

O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty's read more

O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty's veil doth cover every blot
And all things turns to fair that eyes can see!

There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.

There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.

We make a ladder for ourselves of our vices, if we trample those
same vices underfoot.
[Lat., De read more

We make a ladder for ourselves of our vices, if we trample those
same vices underfoot.
[Lat., De vitiis nostris scalam nobis facimus, si vitia ipsa
calcamus.]

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
read more

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

The willing contemplation of vice is vice.

The willing contemplation of vice is vice.

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.

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

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

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.