“Nothing is more easy than to deceive one’s self, as our affections are subtle persuaders.”

What we wish, that we readily believe.

Nothing is so easy as to deceive one’s self; for what we wish, that we readily believe; but such expectations are often inconsistent with the real state of things.

The man who is in the highest state of prosperity, and who thinks his fortune is most secure, knows not if it will remain unchanged till the evening.

Great and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance.

Nothing is easier than self-deceit.

We believe whatever we want to believe.

The man who flies shall fight again.

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.

The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once.

The end of wisdom is consultation and deliberation.

We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done.

It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.

The sower of the seed is assuredly the author of the whole harvest of mischief.

I decline to buy repentance at the cost of ten thousand drachmas.

What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.

A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.

And those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere; and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry.

Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.

Nothing is easier than self-deceit.

Nowadays those are rewarded who make right appear wrong.

Human life is thus only an endless illusion. Men deceive and flatter each other. No one speaks of us in our presence as he does when we are gone. Society is based on mutual hypocrisy.

Vice can deceive under the guise and shadow of virtue.

First appearance deceives many.