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.

Deceit is in haste, but honesty can wait a fair leisure

Deceit is in haste, but honesty can wait a fair leisure

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.

There is a cunning which we in England call the turning of the
cat in the pan.

There is a cunning which we in England call the turning of the
cat in the pan.

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the read more

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.

Where the lion's skin falls short it must be eked out with the
fox's.

Where the lion's skin falls short it must be eked out with the
fox's.

Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.

Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.

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.

Which I wish to remark--
And my language is plain,--
That for ways that are dark
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Which I wish to remark--
And my language is plain,--
That for ways that are dark
And for tricks that are vain,
The heathen Chinee is peculiar.