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.]

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.

Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.

Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
[Fr., Car c'est double plaisir de tromper le trompeur.]

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
[Fr., Car c'est double plaisir de tromper le trompeur.]

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?]

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.

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

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

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.