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 began to realize that thinking itself is nothing but the process of asking and answering questions.
The only people who see the whole picture,' he murmured, 'are the ones who step out of the frame.
It only serves to show what sort of person a man must be who can't even get testimonials. No, no; if a man brings references, it proves nothing; but if he can't, it proves a great deal.
To strive with an equal is dangerous; with a superior, mad; with an inferior, degrading.
All writing is that structure of revelation. There's something you want to find out. If you know everything up front in the beginning, you really don't need to read further if there's nothing else to find out.
Not a law firm in the entire city of New York bid for my employment as a lawyer when I earned my degree.
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