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

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

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.]

Those vices [luxury and neglect of decent manners] are vices of
men, not of the times.
[Lat., Hominum read more

Those vices [luxury and neglect of decent manners] are vices of
men, not of the times.
[Lat., Hominum sunt ista [vitia], non temporum.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

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.

To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down.

To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down.

Vice gets more in this vicious world
Than piety.

Vice gets more in this vicious world
Than piety.

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