Some cursed fraud
Of enemy hath beguiled thee, yet unknown,
And me with thee hath ruined.

Some cursed fraud
Of enemy hath beguiled thee, yet unknown,
And me with thee hath ruined.

The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself

The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself

The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one's self, and become read more

The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one's self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.

For the most part fraud in the end secures for its companions repentance and shame

For the most part fraud in the end secures for its companions repentance and shame

A bad forgery's the ultimate insult.

A bad forgery's the ultimate insult.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

Keep a cow, and the milk won't have to be watered but once.

Keep a cow, and the milk won't have to be watered but once.

The more gross the fraud the more glibly will it go down, and the more greedily be swallowed, since folly read more

The more gross the fraud the more glibly will it go down, and the more greedily be swallowed, since folly will always find faith where impostors will find imprudence.

But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth;
His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles,
His love read more

But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth;
His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles,
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate,
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart,
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.