Conception

If, through unjust, I acquire the reputation of justice, a heavenly life is promised to me. Since then, as philosophers prove, appearance tyrannizes over truth and is lord of happiness, to appearance I must devote myself. I will describe around me a picture and shadow of virtue to be the vestible and exterior of my house; behind, I will trail the subtle and crafty fox. But I hear someone exlaiming that the concealment of wickedness is often difficult; to which I answer, nothing great is easy. . . .With a view to concealment we will establish secret brotherhoods and political clubs. And there are professors of rhetoric who teach the art of persuading courts and assemblies; and so, partly by persuasion and partly by force, I shall make unlawful gains and not be punished