“ Anything that's mended is but patched; virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin, and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. ”
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Twelfth Night |
| Topic | sin virtue change |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1601 and 1602 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1526/pg1526-images.html |
Context
“Two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel will amend: for give the dry fool drink, then is the fool not dry; bid the dishonest man mend himself: if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend him. Anything that's mended is but patched; virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin, and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. If that this simple syllogism will serve, so; if it will not, what remedy? As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty's a flower:—the lady bade take away the fool; therefore, I say again, take her away.”
source
Meaning and analysis
