Ay me, how many perils doe enfold
The righteous man, to make him daily fall.
_Faërie Queene, Bk. I_. E. SPENSER.
There is a method in man's wickedness,
It grows up by degrees.
_A King and no King, Act v. Sc. 4_. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
Where is the man who has not tried
How mirth can into folly glide,
And folly into sin!
_The Bridal of Triermain, Canto I_. SIR W. SCOTT.
I see the right, and I approve it too,
Condemn the wrong, and yet the wrong pursue.
_Metamorphoses, VII. 20_. OVID. _Trans. of_ TATE AND STONESTREET.
I am a man
More sinned against than sinning.
_King Lear, Act iii. Sc. 2_. SHAKESPEARE.
The good he scorned
Stalked off reluctant, like an ill-used ghost,
Not to return; or, if it did, in visits
Like those of angels, short and far between.
_The Grave, Pt. II_. R. BLAIR.
Man-like is it to fall into sin,
Fiend-like is it to dwell therein,
Christ-like is it for sin to grieve,
God-like is it all sin to leave.
_Sin_. F. VON LOGAU. _Trans. of_ LONGFELLOW.
O, what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
_Much Ado about Nothing, Act iv. Sc. 1_. SHAKESPEARE.
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile.
_Missionary Hymn_. BISHOP R. HEBER.
And he that does one fault at first,
And lies to hide it, makes it two.
_Divine Songs_. DR. I. WATTS.
Commit
The oldest sins the newest kind of ways.
_Henry IV., Pt. II. Act iv. Sc. 4_. SHAKESPEARE.
And out of good still to find means of evil.
_Paradise Lost, Bk. I_. MILTON.
But evil is wrought by want of thought,
As well as want of heart!
_The Lady's Dream_. T. HOOD.
Timely advised, the coming evil shun:
Better not do the deed, than weep it done.
_Henry and Emma_. M. PRIOR.