This sense of fun is the single trait which relieves the colossal turpitude of Gilderoy. And, though even his turpitude was melodramatic in its lack of balance, it is a unity of character which is the foundation of his greatness. He was no fumbler, led away from his purpose by the first diversion; his ambition was clear before him, and he never fell below it. He defied Scotland for fifteen years, was hanged so high that he passed into a proverb, and though his handsome, sinister face might have made women his slaves, he was never betrayed by passion (or by virtue) to an amiability.英文原著 · 《A Book of Scoundrels》
The people can never penetrate into the perplexing labyrinth of court intrigue, and it will always have difficulty in detecting the turpitude which lurks under elegant manners, refined tastes, and graceful language. But to pillage the public purse, and to vend the favors of the State, are arts which the meanest villain may comprehend, and hope to practice in his turn.英文原著 · 《Democracy In America-1》
I am glad that you perceive the indecency and turpitude of those of your 'Commensaux', who disgrace and foul themselves with dirty w----s and scoundrel gamesters. And the light in which, I am sure, you see all reasonable and decent people consider them, will be a good warning to you. Adieu.英文原著 · 《Letters to His Son, 1748》
One of the sons arrived a week after the catastrophe. He found his old home in ruins, and that his aged parents and their children had become victims of the turpitude of an Act of Parliament. The son went in search of his relatives across the Vaal, but it was not known if they succeeded in finding the refuge which the law had made unlawful.英文原著 · 《Native Life in South Africa》
WEDGEWOOD. I don't know that. I don't at all fancy his edict.--What! marry a parcel of handsome, innocent, industrious girls to his great whiskered horse-guards, whether they will or no? It's a piece of moral turpitude--an insult to common sense--and infamously odd--英文原著 · 《Poems》
As Obadiah had a wife and three children--the turpitude of fornication, and the many other political ill consequences of this jingling, never once entered his brain,--he had however his objection, which came home to himself, and weighed with him, as it has oft-times done with the greatest patriots.--'The poor fellow, Sir, was not able to hear himself whistle.'英文原著 · 《The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy》