Sonnet 121
'Tis better to be vile than vile esteem'd,When not to be receives reproach of being,And the just pleasure lost which is so deem'dNot by our feeling but by others' seeing:For why should others false adulterate eyesGive salutation to my sportive blood?Or on my frailties why are frailer spies,Which in their wills count bad what I think good?No, I am that I am, and they that levelAt my abuses reckon up their own:I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel;By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown; Unless this general evil they maintain, All men are bad, and in their badness reign.
What good is a bad reputationwith none of the vile recreation?If it's all the same,I'd rather acclaim,but if not, then I'll take consummation.