Heaven forbids, it is true, certain gratifications, but there are ways and means of compounding such matters.
It is a folly second to none; to try to improve the world.
It is the public scandal that offends; to sin in secret is no sin at all.
There are pretenders to piety as well as to courage.
But it is not reason that governs love.
The public scandal is what constitutes the offence: sins sinned in secret are no sins at all.