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

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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

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