know, has ever attained that humility, which, after all, is but one step further, and which says, Credo, quia Absurdum sum.
418
Acting the truth.—Many a man is truthful,—not because he detests playing the hypocrite, but because he would ill-succeed in gaining credence for his hypocrisy. In short, he has no confidence in his talent as actor and therefore prefers to be honest : acting the truth.
419
Party-courage.—The poor sheep say to their shepherd, "Lead us and we shall never be wanting in courage to follow you." And the poor shepherd thinks in his heart : “You only follow me, and I shall never lack courage to lead you."
420
Shrewdness of the victim.—What distressing shrewd. ness lies in the wish to deceive ourselves with regard to the person for whose sake we have sacrificed ourselves, and to give him an opportunity of appearing such as we would wish him to be.
421
Showing through others.—There are people who do not wish to be seen otherwise than through others: a wish which implies a good deal of wisdom.
