An indiscriminate distrust of human nature is the worst consequence of a miserable condition, whether brought about by innocence or guilt.

And though want of suspicion more than want of sense, sometimes leads a man into harm, yet too much suspicion is as bad as too little sense.

The man you met, my friend, most probably had no artful intention; he knew just nothing about you or your heels; he simply wanted to earn two sous by brushing your boots.

Those blacking-men regularly station themselves on the bridge." "How sorry I am then that I knocked over his box, and then ran away.
But he didn't catch me." "How?
surely, my honest friend, you--appointed to the conveyance of important secret dispatches--did not act so imprudently as to kick over an innocent man's box in the public streets of the capital, to which you had been especially sent ?" "Yes, I did, Doctor." "Never act so unwisely again.

If the police had got hold of you, think of what might have ensued." "Well, it was not very wise of me, that's a fact, Doctor.