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MAXIME CXLIV.
Ʋnder the veil of another man's interest, to find ones own.
Is a most proper strategeme for obtai∣ning what one intends. The Confessours themselves teach this pious Craft as to what concerns salvation. It is a most im∣portant dissimulation, seeing the profit that is pretended, serves as a bait to attract the will. It seems to another that his inte∣rest goes first, when it is onely to make way for thy pretension. One must ne∣ver enter hap hazard, but especially where there is danger at the bottom. And when one hath to doe with those, whose first word is always No, he must not shew them what he aims at, lest they may see Reasons for not condescending to it: and chiefly if he foresee that they have an aversion thereto. This advice is for those that can turn their wits to any thing; which is the quintessence of subtilty.