A Man Is His Own Easiest Dupe,

It Is Not Possible To Found A Lasting Power Upon Injustice, Perjury, And Treachery. These May, Perhaps, Succeed For Once, And Borrow For Awhile, From Hope, A Gay And Flourishing Appearance. But Time Betrays Their Weakness, And They Fall Into Ruin Of Themselves. For, As In Structures Of Every Kind, The Lower Parts Should Have The Greatest Firmness--so The Grounds And Principles Of Actions Should Be Just And True.

There Is One Safeguard Known Generally To The Wise, Which Is An Advantage And Security To All, But Especially To Democracies As Against Despots - Suspicion.

No Man Who Is Not Willing To Help Himself Has Any Right To Apply To His Friends, Or To The Gods.

Clouds Cannot Cover Secret Places, Nor Denials Conceal Truth.

There Are All Kinds Of Devices Invented For The Protection And Preservation Of Countries: Defensive Barriers, Forts, Trenches, And The Like... But Prudent Minds Have As A Natural Gift One Safeguard Which Is The Common Possession Of All, And This Applies Especially To The Dealings Of Democracies. What Is This Safeguard? Skepticism. This You Must Preserve. This You Must Retain. If You Can Keep This, You Need Fear No Harm.