My generation of radicals and breakers-down never found anything to take the place of the old virtues of work and courage and the ...old graces of courtesy and politeness.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
If the individuals who compose the purest circles of aristocracy in Europe, the guarded blood of centuries, should pass in review,... in such manner as that we could, at leisure, and critically inspect their behavior, we might find no gentleman, and no lady; for, although excellent specimens of courtesy and high-breeding would gratify us in the assemblage, in the particulars, we should detect offence. Because, elegance comes of no breeding, but of birth.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
No rent-roll nor army-list can dignify skulking and dissimulation: and the first point of courtesy must always be truth, as really... all the forms of good-breeding point that way.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand! Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;... Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; Arm it in rags, a pygmy's straw does pierce it. None does offend, none, I say, none. I'll able 'em. Take that of me, my friend, who have the power To seal th' accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes, And like a scurvy politician seem To see the things thou dost not.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Through tattered clothes great vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide all. Place sin with gold,... And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »