Politicians

This is the present world's wise man and politician. At best he may be a cunning man, a sort of lurker in politics . He is for every cause that brings him gain, but implacable if disappointed of success. He sails with all winds , and is never out of his way where anything is to be had . True to nothing but himself, and false to all persons and parties , he is a privateer indeed , and everywhere a very bird of prey .
   Such men as give themselves the latitude of saying what they do not mean , come to be errant jockeys at more things than one , but in religion and politics its most pernicious. To hear two men talk the reverse of their own sentiments , with all the good  breeding and appearance of friendship imaginable , on purpose to cozen or pump each other , is to a man of virtue and honour one of the melancholiest, as well as most nauseous things in the world.
   I remember a passage in one of  Queen Elizabeth's great men , as advice to his friend:  "The advantage" says he , "I had upon others at court , was that I always spoke as I thought , Which being not believed by them , I both preserved a good conscience , and suffered no damage from that freedom"- which , as it shows the vice to be older than our times, proves that gallant man's integrity to be the best way of avoiding it .
   It is as reasonable to think that  a whore makes the best wife, as to think a knave makes the best public officer . Are you  a magistrate .? Prefer such as have clean characters where they live , and are under no temptation  to strain points for a fortune . Are you a private man.? Contract your acquaintance in a narrow compass, and choose those  for the subject of it that are men of principles - such as will make full stops where honour will not lead them on to a base compliance.   William Penn