“ Honesty suffers, I acknowledge; but when we have need of men, we may be allowed without blame to adapt ourselves to their mode of thought ”
Molière, The Miser (1668). copy citation
| Author | Molière |
|---|---|
| Source | The Miser |
| Topic | suffering blame |
| Date | 1668 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Charles Heron Wall |
| Weblink | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Miser_(Moliere) |
Context
“One need not fear to overdo it, for however gross the flattery, the most cunning are easily duped; there is nothing so impertinent or ridiculous which they will not believe, provided it be well seasoned with praise. Honesty suffers, I acknowledge; but when we have need of men, we may be allowed without blame to adapt ourselves to their mode of thought; and if we have no other hope of success but through such stratagem, it is not after all the fault of those who flatter, but the fault of those who wish to be flattered.
Eli. Why do you not try also to gain my brother's goodwill, in case the servant should betray our secret?”
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