I take it to be from the greatest extremes, both in virtue and in vice, that the uniformly virtuous and reformed in life can derive the greatest and most salutary truths and impressions.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.
In order to know virtue, we must first acquaint ourselves with vice.
When virtue is at liberty, so to some extent is vice.
An element of exaggeration clings to the popular judgment: great vices are made greater, great virtues greater also; interesting incidents are made more interesting, softer legends more soft.
Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.
It will always be considered a praiseworthy undertaking to urge the most obstinate and incredulous to abide by the principles that impel men to live in society. There are, therefore, three distinct classes of vice and virtue: the religious, the natural, and the political. These three classes should never be in contradiction with one another.
In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.
The function of vice is to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.
There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.
Virtue is defined to be mediocrity, of which either extreme is vice.