The first Maxim of worldly Wisdom, constant Dissimulation, may be good or evil as
it is interpreted. If it means only a constant Concealment from others of such of
our Sentiments, Actions, Desires, and Resolutions, as others have not a Right to know,
it is not only lawful but commendable—because when these are once divulged, our Enemies
may avail themselves of the Knowledge of them, to our Damage, Danger and Confusion.
So that some Things which ought to be communicated to some of our Friends, that they
may improve them to our Profit or Honour or Pleasure, should be concealed from our
Enemies, and from indiscreet friends, least they should be turned to our Loss, Disgrace
or Mortification. I am under no moral or other Obligation to publish to the World,
how much my Expences or my Incomes amount to yearly. There are Times when and Persons
to whom, I am not obliged to tell what are my Principles and Opinions in Politicks
or Religion.
There are Persons whom in my Heart I despize; others I abhor. Yet I am not obliged
to inform the one of my Contempt, nor the other of my Detestation. This Kind of Dissimulation,
which is no more than Concealment, Secrecy, and Reserve, or in other Words, Prudence
and Discretion, is a necessary Branch of Wisdom, and so far from being immoral and
unlawfull, that [it] is a Duty and a Virtue.
{ 364 } Yet even this must be understood with certain Limitations, for there are Times, when
the Cause of Religion, of Government, of Liberty, the Interest of the present Age
and of Posterity, render it a necessary Duty for a Man to make known his Sentiments
and Intentions boldly and publickly. So that it is difficult to establish any certain
Rule, to determine what Things a Man may and what he may not lawfully conceal, and
when. But it is no doubt clear, that there are many Things which may lawfully be concealed
from many Persons at certain Times; and on the other Hand there are Things, which
at certain Times it becomes mean and selfish, base, and wicked to conceal from some
Persons.