„Ни один умный человек никогда не хотел быть моложе своих лет.“
No wise man ever wished to be younger.
«Рассуждения о различных предметах, нравственные и занимательные»
All great changes have the same effects upon commonwealths, that thunder has upon liquors, making the dregs fly up to the top; the lowest plebeians rise to the head of affairs, and there preserve themselves, by representing the nobles, and other friends to the old government, as enemies to the publick.
№24 (8 января 1711)
Эссе для журнала «Исследователь»
A political lie is sometimes born out of a discarded statesman's head, and thence delivered to be nursed and dandled by the rabble. Sometimes it is produced a monster, and licked into shape: at other times it comes into the world completely formed, and is spoiled in the licking. It is often born an infant in the regular way, and requires time to mature it; and often it sees the light in its full growth, but dwindles away by degrees. Sometimes it is of noble birth; and sometimes the spawn of a stock-jobber. Here it screams aloud at the opening of the womb; and there it is delivered with a whisper. I know a lie, that now disturbs half the kingdom with its noise, which, although too proud and great at present to own its parents, I can remember its whisperhood. To conclude the nativity of this monster; when it comes into the world without a sting, it is still-born; and whenever it loses its sting, it dies.
Эссе для журнала «Исследователь», №14 (10 ноября 1710)
There is one essential point, wherein a political liar differs from others of the faculty; that he ought to have but a short memory, which is necessary, according to the various occasions he meets with every hour of differing from himself, and swearing to both sides of a contradiction, as he finds the persons disposed with whom he has to deal.
Эссе для журнала «Исследователь», №14 (10 ноября 1710)
„Два правила для любого царедворца: всегда хранить спокойствие и никогда не хранить своё слово.“
The two maxims of any great man at court, are, al ways to keep his countenance, and never to keep his word.
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