'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed <br />When not to be receives reproach of being, <br />And the just pleasure lost, which is so deemed <br />Not by our feeling, but by others' seeing. <br />For why should others' false adulterate eyes <br />Give salutation to my sportive blood? <br />Or on my frailties why are frailer spies, <br />Which in their wills count bad what I think good? <br />No, I am that I am, and they that level <br />At my abuses reckon up their own. <br />I may be straight though they themselves be bevel. <br />By their rank thoughts, my deeds must not be shown, <br /> Unless this general evil they maintain: <br /> All men are bad, and in their badness reign.<br /><br />William Shakespeare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-121-tis-better-to-be-vile-than-vile-estee/
