To act with doubleness towards a man whose own conduct was double, was so near an approach to virtue that it deserved to be called by no meaner name than diplomacy.

Summary

This quote suggests that when dealing with someone who is deceitful or two-faced, responding in a similar manner can be seen as a form of virtue, known as diplomacy. It implies that navigating through a situation with cunning and strategic deception can be justified when facing someone who is not straightforward themselves. In other words, the quote implies that sometimes responding "in kind" is a justifiable and tactful approach to navigating complex interpersonal dynamics.

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