There are persons whom in my heart I despise, others I abhor. Yet I am not obliged to inform the one of my contempt, nor the other of my detestation. This kind of dissimulation...is a necessary branch of wisdom, and so far from being immoral...that it is a duty and a virtue. John Adams
About This Quote

This kind of dissimulation...is a necessary branch of wisdom, and so far from being immoral...that it is a duty and a virtue. "Dissimulation" here refers to a sort of social camouflage or deception. The English writer and philosopher Joseph Addison was talking about the art of concealing one's true feelings, especially when these are negative ones. So, to "dissimulate" means to hide what you think or feel; to mask your true feelings.

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  1. Admire and adore the Author of the telescopic universe, love and esteem the work, do all in your power to lessen ill, and increase good, but never assume to comprehend.
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  3. Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write .
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