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.
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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.
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?
Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices
Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us.
The vices we scoff at in others, laugh at us within ourselves.
The vices we scoff at in others, laugh at us within ourselves.
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.
Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.
Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.
Nurse one vice in your bosom. Give it the attention it deserves and let your virtues spring p modestly around read more
Nurse one vice in your bosom. Give it the attention it deserves and let your virtues spring p modestly around it. Then you'll have the miser who's no liar; and the drunkard who's the benefactor of the whole city.
A vice is a failure of desire.
A vice is a failure of desire.
