“There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the es...” — William Hazlitt Quote

There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our friends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.

We often choose a friend as we do a mistress - for no particular excellence in themselves, but merely from some circumstance that flatters our self-love.

I would like to spend the whole of my life traveling, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend at home.

Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering other people's weaknesses.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

It is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

It is twice the pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves.

I think people deceive themselves about themselves, particularly as they get older.