Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
 William Shakespeare, Hamlet (1623). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source Hamlet
Topic virtue belief
Date 1623
Language English
Reference
Note Written between 1599 and 1602
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1524/1524-h/1524-h.htm

Context

“Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good. QUEEN. O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. HAMLET. O throw away the worser part of it, And live the purer with the other half. Good night. But go not to mine uncle's bed.
Assume a virtue, if you have it not. That monster custom, who all sense doth eat, Of habits evil, is angel yet in this, That to the use of actions fair and good He likewise gives a frock or livery That aptly is put on. Refrain tonight,
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