I have left the ranks of the publicans and sinners and have become a Pharisee.

I tell you, Baron Ned, nothing so swells a man in the chest as the belief that he is not as other men are." His righteousness, at least, was not devoid of bitterness, and it is possible that a part of his aversion to his former friends and to the king grew out of his jealousy of them for Frances's sake.
"There is no good reason why you should allow your righteousness to become offensive, as that of the ranter, who hates rather than pities iniquity because, in his opinion, God is a God of vengeance," I suggested ironically.

"But rather let your virtues grow as the rose unfolds and--" "Oh, be damned to your raillery! I'm not going to be too decent!" he retorted, finding nothing to amuse him in my remark.

Nor did he become too decent, as will appear all too soon.
If, for a time, Hamilton's life did not conform to our desires, we must not condemn him too harshly, for the evil which we try to throw off clings like a bur, while the good we would keep must be tied on.

Thus much I say in anticipation.