Ethics and Morality

Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; And vice sometime’s by action dignified.

How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds Makes ill deeds done!

There is no sure foundation set on blood, No certain life achiev’d by others’ death.

And oftentimes excusing of a fault Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

That smooth-fac’d gentleman, tickling Commodity, Commodity, the bias of the world.

Sweet, sweet, sweet poison for the age’s tooth.

He lives in fame that died in virtue’s cause.

Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.

Who buys a minute’s mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to get a toy? For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?

Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word.

Be not thy tongue thy own shame’s orator.

Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devis’d at first to keep the strong in awe.

And thus I clothe my naked villany With odd old ends stol’n forth of holy writ, And seem a saint when most I play the devil.

No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.

And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity?

That things ill got had ever bad success?

Small things make base men proud.

True nobility is exempt from fear.

Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all. Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation.

What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted! Thrice is he arm’d that hath his quarrel just, And he but naked, though lock’d up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

In thy face I see The map of honor, truth, and loyalty.

Blessed are the peacemakers on earth.

I count religion but a childish toy, And hold there is no sin but ignorance.