wickedness

Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to shew; but were consumed in our own wickedness. For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day.

—Bible (Apocrypha)

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Dante, who loved well because he hated, Hated wickedness that hinders loving.

—Browning, Robert

  Human blunders usually do more to shape history than human wickedness.

—Taylor, A(lan) J(ohn) P(ercivale)

   We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievouslyhave committed,By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.

—Book of Common Prayer

A belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.

—Connor, Sir William Neil pseudonym Cassandra

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

—Bible (NewTestament)

Henry VIII perhaps approached as nearly to the ideal standard of perfect wickedness as the infirmities of human nature will allow.

—Mackintosh, SirJames

Idonot know whether itoughttobe so, butcertainlysilly things do cease to be silly if theyare done by sensible people in an impudent way.Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly. It depends upon the character of those who handle it.

—Austen,Jane

Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the L thy God hath cast them out from beforethee, saying,For my righteousness the L hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the L doth drive them out from before thee.

—Bible (Old Testament)