Vice, in its true light, is so deformed, that it shocks us at first sight; and would hardly ever seduce us, if it did not at first wear the mask of some virtue.

Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderated use rather than total abstinence.

Time, which alone makes the reputation of men, ends by making their defects respectable.

Every day confirms my opinion on the superiority of a vicious life -- and if Virtue is not its own reward I don't know any other stipend annexed to it.

The function of vice is to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

If he really thinks there is no distinction between vice and virtue, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.

Vices are sometimes only virtues carried to excess!

The disgrace of others often keeps tender minds from vice.

Vice knows that she is ugly, so she puts on her mask.

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of those vices that would lose the state for him, and must protect himself from those that will not lose it for him, if this is possible; but if he cannot, he need not concern himself unduly if he ignores these less serious vices.