The vain, the artful, and the nice, Can never pay the weighty price; For they must selfishness abjure, Have tongue, and hand, and conscience pure; Suffering for friendship, never grieve, But, with a god-like strength, believe In the oft absent power of truth, As they have seen it in their youth.

Human crime, error, or selfishness working life-long misery to othersthis is the theme to which Crabbe turns again and again, and on which he bestows a really marvellous power of analysis.

Self-forgetfulness is a great virtue, and selfishness a great vice.

I entreat thee, I implore, Listen no more To the suggestions of an evil spirit, That even now is there, Making the foul seem fair, And selfishness itself a virtue and a merit!