Quote by Thomas Paine
And as to you, Sir, treacherous in private friendship and a hypocrite in public life, the world will be puzzled to decide whether you are an apostate or an impostor; whether you have abandoned good principles, or whether you ever had any.
Summary
This quote conveys a scathing critique of an individual who is deemed untrustworthy in both personal and public spheres. The speaker highlights the person's deceitful behavior in friendships while portraying them as a hypocrite in their public endeavors. By questioning their integrity, the quote suggests a dilemma: whether this person has completely forsaken their once-held noble beliefs or whether they were never truly virtuous to begin with. It emphasizes the problematic nature of this individual's character, leaving others unsure of their true motives and questioning their authenticity.
By Thomas Paine