Part 6 (1/2)

117.--The most subtle of our acts is to simulate blindness for snares that we know are set for us. We are never so easily deceived as when trying to deceive.

118.--The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.

119.--We become so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that at last we are disguised to ourselves.

[”Those who quit their proper character{,} to a.s.sume what does not belong to them, are{,} for the greater part{,} ignorant both of the character they leave{,} and of the character they a.s.sume.”--Burke, {Reflections On The Revolution In France, (1790), Paragraph 19}.]

{The translators' incorrectly cite Thoughts On The Cause Of The Present Discontents.}

120.--We often act treacherously more from weakness than from a fixed motive.

121.--We frequently do good to enable us with impunity to do evil.

122.--If we conquer our pa.s.sions it is more from their weakness than from our strength.

123.--If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure.

124.--The most deceitful persons spend their lives in blaming deceit, so as to use it on some great occasion to promote some great interest.

125.--The daily employment of cunning marks a little mind, it generally happens that those who resort to it in one respect to protect themselves lay themselves open to attack in another.

[”With that low cunning which in fools supplies, And amply, too, the place of being wise.” Churchill, Rosciad, 117.]

126.--Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.

127.--The true way to be deceived is to think oneself more knowing than others.

128.--Too great cleverness is but deceptive delicacy, true delicacy is the most substantial cleverness.

129.--It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.

130.--Weakness is the only fault which cannot be cured.

131.--The smallest fault of women who give themselves up to love is to love. [------”Faciunt graviora coactae Imperio s.e.xus minimumque libidine peccant.” Juvenal, Sat. vi., 134.]

132.--It is far easier to be wise for others than to be so for oneself.