William Hazlitt

"Life is the art of being well deceived; and in order that the deception may succeed it must be habitual and uninterrupted."

"To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind."

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

"There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love."

"the old maxim... "there are three things necessary to success in life--Impudence! Impudence! Impudence!"

"The path of genius is free, and its own"

"Few things tend more to alienate friendship than a want of punctuality in our engagements. I have known the breach of a promise to dine or sup to break up more than one intimacy."

"The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors."

"Do not keep on with a mockery of friendship after the substance is gone - but part, while you can part friends. Bury the carcass of friendship: it is not worth embalming."

"Rules and models destroy genius and art."

"The dupe of friendship, and the fool of love; have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do; and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough."

"Even in the common affairs of life, in love, friendship, and marriage, how little security have we when we trust our happiness in the hands of others!"