Chastity - you can carry it too far

Chastity - you can carry it too far

Virtue treads paths that end not in the grave.

Virtue treads paths that end not in the grave.

Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue
is at hand.

Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue
is at hand.

That which leads us to the performance of duty by offering
pleasure as its reward, is not virtue, but read more

That which leads us to the performance of duty by offering
pleasure as its reward, is not virtue, but a deceptive copy and
imitation of virtue.
[Lat., Nam quae voluptate, quasi mercede aliqua, ad officium
impellitur, ea non est virtus sed fallax imitatio simulatioque
virtutis.]

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

I prefer an interesting vice to a virtue that bores

If there's a power above us, (and that there is all nature cries
aloud
Through all her works) read more

If there's a power above us, (and that there is all nature cries
aloud
Through all her works) he must delight in virtue.

What shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in
the heart.

What shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in
the heart.

As far as I'm concerned, I prefer silent vice to ostentatious virtue.

As far as I'm concerned, I prefer silent vice to ostentatious virtue.

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.