In the fullest sense of the word, manly. You talk and dream so much of self-dependence; where is it?"
" Is there question of principles? The loosest are those of the majority; they are favored. Honor, revenge, dueling, suicide, are permissible, or at least excusable, acts. As to morality, if one only avoid the most flagrant crimes, if he but escape talk and publicity - for the rest, human weakness deserves some indulgence; we are not angels.
"Here, a double-meaning word is spoken you remain silent; there, a smutty one - you show no sign of disapproval; again, a vulgar one - you laugh at it. And, in order to avoid all suspicion of narrow-mindedness, one at last joins in, applauds, contributes his share, outdoes - yea, vies with the rudest in nastiness, and thereby purchases for himself among young libertines and low companions the unenviable reputation of being a good fellow - of a young man that knows how to live - who lives and lets live - a liberal, broad-minded young man full of 'go.'
"In the dictionary of worldlings and sinners, intemperance- is excusable weakness; idleness - necessary relaxation; endless, and too often passionate play - pastime; reading of sensual books - culture, knowledge of the world; extravagance - generosity; vanity and affectation - civility; flattery - courtesy; untruth - necessary reticence; ambiguity - prudence; dishonesty - clever calculation.
"'Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter' (Is. v. 20), for men's sake!
