Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering the weaknesses of others.

Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering the weaknesses of others.

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.

Think'st thou there are no serpents in the world
But those who slide along the grassy sod,
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Think'st thou there are no serpents in the world
But those who slide along the grassy sod,
And sting the luckless foot that presses them?
There are who in the path of social life
Do bask their spotted skins in Fortune's sun,
And sting the soul.

For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright, who art as black as hell, as dark as night.

For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright, who art as black as hell, as dark as night.

Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks read more

Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.

Hateful to me as are the gates of hell,
Is he who, hiding one thing in his heart,
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Hateful to me as are the gates of hell,
Is he who, hiding one thing in his heart,
Utters another.

Falsehood is never so successful as when she baits her hook with truth, and no opinions so fastly misled us read more

Falsehood is never so successful as when she baits her hook with truth, and no opinions so fastly misled us as those that are not wholly wrong, as no timepieces so effectively deceive the wearer as those that are sometimes right.

Everyone is born sincere and die deceivers.

Everyone is born sincere and die deceivers.

Pretexts are not wanting when one wishes to use them.
[It., Non mancano pretesti quando si vuole.]

Pretexts are not wanting when one wishes to use them.
[It., Non mancano pretesti quando si vuole.]