Cunning
Cunning...is but the low mimic of wisdom.
- Bolingbroke
Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination.
- Franklin, Benjamin
Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers.
- Gracian, Baltasar
Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? Why if it prosper, none dare call it treason.
- Harrington, John
Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering other people's weaknesses.
- Hazlitt, William
Cunning leads to knavery. - It is but a step from one to the other, and that very slippery. - Only lying makes the difference; add that to cunning, and it is knavery.
- La Bruyere, Jean
Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.
- La Rochefoucauld, François
If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.
- Lao-Tzu
Deadly poisons are concealed under sweet honey.
- Ovid
Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.
- Plato
