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on mutual deceit; few
friendships would endure if each knew what his friend said of him in his
absence, although he then spoke in sincerity and without passion.
Man is, then, only disguise, falsehood, and hypocrisy, both in himself and
in regard to others. He does not wish any one to tell him the truth; he
avoids telling it to others, and all these dispositions, so removed from
justice and reason, have a natural root in his heart.
101. I set it down as a fact that if all men knew what each said of the
other, there would not be four friends in the world. This is apparent from
the quarrels which arise from the indiscreet tales told from time to time. I
say, further, all men would be...
102. Some vices only lay hold of us by means of others, and these, like
branches, fall on removal of the trunk.
103. The example of Alexander's chastity has not made so many continent as
that of his drunkenness has made intemperate. It is not shameful not to be
as virtuous as he, and it seems excusable to be no more vicious. We do not
believe ourselves to be exactly sharing in the vices of the vulgar when we
see that we are sharing in those of great men; and yet we do not observe
that in these matters they are ordinary men. We hold on to them by the same
end by which they hold on to the rabble; for, however exalted they are, they
are still united at some point to the lowest of men. They are not suspended
in the air, qu
PA3BEN
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