False in general as dicers' oaths; false on this side and on that, from beginning to end.

Intercepted Letters from Fleury; Letter dropping from Valori's waistcoat-pocket, upon which Friedrich claps his foot: alas, alas, we are in the middle of a whole world of that.

Friedrich knows that the French are false to him; he by no means intends to be romantically true to them, and that also they know.

What is the use to human creatures of recording all that melancholy stuff?
If sovereign persons want their diplomacies NOT to be swept into the ash-pit, there are two conditions, especially one which is peremptory: FIRST, that they should not be lies;--SECOND, that they should be of some importance, some wisdom; which with known lies is not a possible condition.

To unravel cobwebs, and register laboriously and date and sort in the sorrow of your soul the oaths of crowned dicers,--what use is it to gods or men?
Having well dressed and sliced your cucumber, the next clear human duty is: Throw it out of window.