--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I hear you reproach, \"But delay was best…" description: "\"I hear you reproach, \"But delay was best, For their end was a crime.\" Oh, a crime will do As well, I reply, to serve for a test As a virtue golden thro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/robert-browning-734_coins_i-hear-you-reproach-but-delay-was-best-f_2542049.jpg" --- # I hear you reproach, "But delay was best, For their end… ![“I hear you reproach, "But delay was best, For their end was a crime." Oh, a crime will do As well, I reply, to serve for a test As a virtue golden through and through, Sufficient to vindicate itself And prove its worth at a moment's view! . . . . . . Let a man contend to the uttermost For his…” quote by Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/robert-browning-734_coins_i-hear-you-reproach-but-delay-was-best-f_2542049.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/robert-browning-734_coins_i-hear-you-reproach-but-delay-was-best-f_2542049.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/robert-browning-734_coins_i-hear-you-reproach-but-delay-was-best-f_2542049.jpg) > “I hear you reproach, "But delay was best, For their end was a crime." Oh, a crime will do As well, I reply, to serve for a test As a virtue golden through and through, Sufficient to vindicate itself And prove its worth at a moment's view! . . . . . . Let a man contend to the uttermost For his life's set prize, be it what it will! The counter our lovers staked was lost As surely as if it were lawful coin; And the sin I impute to each frustrate ghost Is-the unlit lamp and the ungirt loin, Though the end in sight was a vice, I say.” [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a test of virtue where sacrifice and perseverance are justified despite moral ambiguity. **In simple terms:** Sacrifice can be a test of virtue. Key Takeaway Recognize when sacrifice serves a higher purpose. Themes morality sacrifice virtue conflict Mood thoughtful poetic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - war decisions - personal dilemmas - ethical debates - creative writing Key Concepts ethics philosophy literature Questions to Reflect On - What virtues justify sacrifice? - When does sacrifice become wrongdoing? A Different Perspective Justifying harmful actions can be dangerous. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Frustration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frustration/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lovers/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Prize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prize/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [“This town must learn, even against its will, how much it costs to scorn a God's mysteries and to be purged. So shall I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/this-town-must-learn-even-against-its-will-how-much-it-costs-to-scorn/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [It is easy for us to tarnish God's character because He never argues back; He never tries to defend or vindicate himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/it-is-easy-for-us-to-tarnish-god-s-character-because-he-never-argues/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [You succeeded at your attempts to make me Need you desperately to vindicate me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/you-succeeded-at-your-attempts-to-make-me-need-you-desperately-to/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [I have been used for a purpose, and there will be a certain tragic occurrence happening if you don't take my testimony and somehow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ruby/i-have-been-used-for-a-purpose-and-there-will-be-a-certain-tragic/) [Jack Ruby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ruby/) > [Eye Nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies, And catch the manners living as they rise; Laugh where we must, be candid where we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/eye-nature-s-walks-shoot-folly-as-it-flies-and-catch-the-manners/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [There are people who vindicate the world, who help others live just by their presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/there-are-people-who-vindicate-the-world-who-help-others-live-just-by/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I believe in the long run, God will vindicate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-bryant/i-believe-in-the-long-run-god-will-vindicate-me/) [Anita Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-bryant/) > [The moment you feel like you have to prove your worth to someone is the moment you should absolutely walk away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-moment-you-feel-like-you-have-to-prove-your-worth-to-someone-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our biggest asset is time. Yet, we waste it on regrets. Heres to living a life worth each moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-biggest-asset-is-time-yet-we-waste-it-on-regrets-heres-to-living/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All the miles of a hard road are worth a moment of true happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-lobel/all-the-miles-of-a-hard-road-are-worth-a-moment-of-true-happiness/) [Arnold Lobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-lobel/) > [If I collected day of joy Not worth a moment of my time with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wol/if-i-collected-day-of-joy-not-worth-a-moment-of-my-time-with-you/) Lil Wol > [The moment you feel you have to start proving your worth is the moment you should walk away and never look back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-moment-you-feel-you-have-to-start-proving-your-worth-is-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A moment is indeed all one could ever ask for from perfection; but if you live fully and love with all your heart and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felisa-tan/a-moment-is-indeed-all-one-could-ever-ask-for-from-perfection-but-if/) [Felisa Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felisa-tan/) > [“A lifetime of glory is worth a moment of pain”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lifetime-of-glory-is-worth-a-moment-of-pain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am not sorry for a moment . It was worth every moment, every second we were together. I would not change it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-de-la-cruz/i-am-not-sorry-for-a-moment-it-was-worth-every-moment-every-second-we/) [Melissa de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-de-la-cruz/) ## More by Robert Browning > [I would have rummaged, ransacked at the word; Those old odd corners of an empty heart; For remnants of dim love the long disused,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/i-would-have-rummaged-ransacked-at-the-word-those-old-odd-corners-of/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [“One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, never doubted clouds would break, never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/one-who-never-turned-his-back-but-marched-breast-forward-never/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [All service ranks the same with God,- With God, whose puppets, best and worst, Are we: there is no last nor first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/all-service-ranks-the-same-with-god-with-god-whose-puppets-best-and/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [“Have you found your life distasteful? 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How fit to employ all the heart and the soul and the senses forever in joy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/how-good-is-man-s-life-the-mere-living-how-fit-to-employ-all-the/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Oh, to be in England Now that April's there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/oh-to-be-in-england-now-that-april-s-there-and-whoever-wakes-in/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [The ultimate, angels' law, Indulging every instinct of the soul There where law, life, joy, impulse are one thing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/the-ultimate-angels-law-indulging-every-instinct-of-the-soul-there/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/grow-old-along-with-me-the-best-is-yet-to-be-the-last-of-life-for/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over, lest you should think he never could recapture the first fine careless rapture!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/that-s-the-wise-thrush-he-sings-each-song-twice-over-lest-you-should/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Look not down but up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/look-not-down-but-up/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [What a thing friendship is - World without end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/what-a-thing-friendship-is-world-without-end/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Silence 'tis awe decrees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/silence-tis-awe-decrees/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) [Explore all 386 Robert Browning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) ## More Coins quotes > [Money doesn't spend in hell… The devil deals in a different coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/money-doesn-t-spend-in-hell-the-devil-deals-in-a-different-coin/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Money is made at Christmas out of holly and mistletoe, but who save the vendors would greatly care if no green branch were procurable?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/money-is-made-at-christmas-out-of-holly-and-mistletoe-but-who-save/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) > [The man who confers a favour would rather not be repaid in the same coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-man-who-confers-a-favour-would-rather-not-be-repaid-in-the-same/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Confidentiality and transparency are not mutually exclusive, but rather two sides of the same coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/confidentiality-and-transparency-are-not-mutually-exclusive-but/) [Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/) > [“Spare a copper for our cause?" the girl with the coin cup asks, her voice weary. "I can spare more than that," I say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/spare-a-copper-for-our-cause-the-girl-with-the-coin-cup-asks-her/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [Under the gold standard gold is money and money is gold. It is immaterial whether or not the laws assign legal tender quality only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/under-the-gold-standard-gold-is-money-and-money-is-gold-it-is/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [Girls are not machines that you put kindness coins into until sex falls out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/girls-are-not-machines-that-you-put-kindness-coins-into-until-sex/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [I collect dice and I collect coins. I travel the world so I love dice, I always have dice on me. I collect magnets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellan-lutz/i-collect-dice-and-i-collect-coins-i-travel-the-world-so-i-love-dice/) [Kellan Lutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellan-lutz/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salmon-p-chase/no-nation-can-be-strong-except-in-the-strength-of-god-or-safe-except/) [Salmon P. Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salmon-p-chase/) > [Greatness is a two-faced coin - and the reverse is humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-steen/greatness-is-a-two-faced-coin-and-the-reverse-is-humility/) Marguerite Steen > [Sight is one of the most easily deceived senses. 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Someone has to borrow every dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-w-hemphill/if-all-bank-loans-were-paid-there-would-not-be-a-dollar-of-coin-or/) Robert W. Hemphill Browse all 546 Coins quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I hear you reproach, \"But delay was best, For their end was a crime.\" Oh, a crime will do As well, I reply, to serve for a test As a virtue golden through and through, Sufficient to vindicate itself And prove its worth at a moment's view! . . . . . . Let a man contend to the uttermost For his life's set prize, be it what it will! 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