The angel answer'd, "Nay, said soul; go higher!
To be deceived in your true heart's desire
Was read more

The angel answer'd, "Nay, said soul; go higher!
To be deceived in your true heart's desire
Was bitterer than a thousand years of fire!"

We like to be deceived.

We like to be deceived.

Hateful to me as are the gates of hell,
Is he who, hiding one thing in his heart,
read more

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

Everyone is born sincere and die deceivers.

Everyone is born sincere and die deceivers.

You think him to be your dupe; if he feigns to be so who is the
greater dupe, he read more

You think him to be your dupe; if he feigns to be so who is the
greater dupe, he or you?
[Fr., Vous le croyez votre dupe: s'il feint de l'etre, qui est
plus dupe, de lui ou de vous?]

A sheep in sheep's clothing.

A sheep in sheep's clothing.

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.]

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Think'st thou there are no serpents in the world
But those who slide along the grassy sod,
read more

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.