If the wicked flourish, and thou suffer, be not discouraged; they are fatted for destruction, thou art dieted for health.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
It is safest to be moderately base—to be flexible in shame, and to be always ready for what is generous, good and just, when anything is to be gained by virtue.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
The sure way to wickedness is always through wickedness.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
I will undertake to explain to any one the final condemnation of the wicked, if he will explain to me the existence of the wicked—if he will explain why God does not cause all those to die in the cradle of whom he foresees that, when they grow up, they will lead a sinful life.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even though it be not perpetrated in the act.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The sun also shines on the wicked.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
God bears with the wicked, but not forever.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Wickedness is a wonderfully diligent architect of misery, and shame, accompanied with terror, commotion, remorse, and endless perturbation.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
The world loves a spice of wickedness.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
It is a statistical fact that the wicked work harder to reach hell than the righteous do to enter heaven.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
The happiness of the wicked passes away like a torrent.
—Jean Racine (1639–1699) French Dramatist
What rein can hold licentious wickedness, when down the hill he holds his fierce career?
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
As a wicked man I am a complete failure. Why, there are lots of people who say I have never really done anything wrong in the whole course of my life. Of course they only say it behind my back.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Was ever any wicked man free from the stings of a guilty conscience—from a secret dread of the divine displeasure, and of the vengeance of another world?
—John Tillotson
To those persons who have vomited out of their souls all remnants of goodness, there rests a certain pride in evil; and having else no shadow of glory left them, they glory to be constant in iniquity.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
They are the same beams that shine and enlighten which are apt to scorch too; and it is impossible for a man engaged in any wicked way, to have a clear understanding of it, and a quiet mind in it altogether.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
It is a fact that cannot be denied: the wickedness of others becomes our own wickedness because it kindles something evil in our own hearts.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
The hatred of the wicked is only roused the more from the impossibility of finding any just grounds on which it can rest; and the very consciousness of their own injustice is only a grievance the more against him who is the object of it.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Wickedness is a myth invented by good people to account for the curious attractiveness of others.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Wickedness may well be compared to a bottomless pit, into which it is easier to keep one’s self from falling, than, being fallen, to give one’s self any stay from falling infinitely.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
If weakness may excuse, what murderer, what traitor, parricide, incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it? All wickedness is weakness; that plea, therefore, with God or man will gain thee no remission.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
Combinations of wickedness would overwhelm the world, by the advantage which licentious principles afford, did not those who have long practised perfidy grow faithless to each other.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Well does Heaven take care that no man secures happiness by crime.
—Vittorio Alfieri (1749–1803) Italian Poet, Dramatist
No wickedness proceeds on any grounds of reason.
—Livy (Titus Livius) (59 BCE–17 CE) Roman Historian
Behold, my love, behold all that I simultaneously do: scandal, seduction, bad example, incest, adultery, sodomy! Oh, Satan! one and unique God of my soul, inspire thou in me something yet more, present further perversions to my smoking heart, and then shalt thou see how I shall plunge myself into them all!
—Marquis de Sade (1740–1814) French Writer
There is a method in man’s wickedness; it grows up by degrees.
—Francis Beaumont (1584–1616) English Elizabethan Dramatist
It is a man’s own dishonesty, his crimes, his wickedness, and barefaced assurance, that takes away from him soundness of mind; these are the furies, these the flames and firebrands, of the wicked.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred, envy, hypocrisy, revenge, have life abiding in them, is a terrible mistake. Life and Life’s idea, Truth and Truth’s idea, never make men sick, sinful, or mortal.
—Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) American Christian Science Religious Leader, Humanitarian, Writer
There is no man suddenly either excellently good or extremely wicked; but grows so, either as he holds himself up in virtue, or lets himself slide to viciousness.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
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