Cunning has effect from the credulity of others, rather than from the abilities of those who are cunning. It requires no extraordinary talents to lie and deceive.
Interpretation
Cunning relies on the gullibility of others instead of exceptional skill; anyone can deceive.
This quote emphasizes that the effectiveness of cunning or deceit largely stems from the naivety or gullibility of the individuals being manipulated, rather than showcasing any remarkable talent or intelligence of the deceiver. It serves as a reminder that dishonesty is accessible to all, and true skill lies in discernment and integrity, rather than in the ability to mislead others.
In practice
Mentioning this quote during a discussion on ethics in business to illustrate the pitfalls of manipulation.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
I'm always amazed that people will actually choose to sit in front of the television and just be savaged by stuff that belittles their intelligence.
Granny was an old-fashioned witch. She didnβt do good for people, she did right by them.
When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.
At the top of the mountain we are all snow leopards.
Since luck's a nine days' wonder, wait their end.
Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech; which is the right of every man as far as by it he does not hurt or control the right of another; and this is the only check it ought to suffer and the only bounds it ought to know.... Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freedom of speech, a thing terrible to traitors.
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