nameless virtues

these are the virtues that we dare not name
honour and duty with fear must compete
against all hope we feed both pride and shame

we think we're wildest when we are most tame
and slowest when we are truly most fleet
these are the virtues that we dare not name

our silence keeps us from knowing our fame
a common kind of human self-deceit
against all hope we feed both pride and shame

to tell the truth our answers all are lame
nothing we have provides the soul with meat
these are the virtues that we dare not name

you'd think that we would simply take the blame
go out in anger let the fools just bleat
against all hope we feed both pride and shame

this it turns out is more than just a game
it takes so long we cannot taste the sweet
these are the virtues that we dare not name
against all hope we feed both pride and shame