Quotes about Artifices

Accordingly, since a good nature and the Holy Spirit were joined, he had to become a distinguished poet, and there is no doubt at all that throughout his governorship he produced many other poems and contrived many other artifices of this kind that are not recorded in this book. But from this one example one can judge what kind of prophet he was, a man of the highest talent and spirit. In addition to these gifts, he had practice and experience in many troubles and vexations.

In the midst of the disguises and artifices that reign among men, it is only attention and vigilance that can save us from surprises.

We are easily shocked by crimes which appear at once in their full magnitude, but the gradual growth of our own wickedness, endeared by interest, and palliated by all the artifices of self-deceit, gives us time to form distinctions in our own favor,