242
We blame equally him who is too proud to put a proper value on his own merit and him who prizes too highly his spurious worth.
Goethe.
243
Men are so simple, and yield so much to necessity, that he who will deceive may always find him that will lend himself to be deceived.
Machiavelli.
244
Obstinate silence implies either a mean opinion of ourselves, or a contempt for our company; and it is the more provoking, as others do not know to which of these causes to attribute it—whether humility or pride.
Hazlitt.