80. We observe each other’s sins, not to
bewail them, but to make them subjects of reproach, not to heal them,
but to aggravate them, and excuse our own evil deeds by the wounds of
our neighbours. Bad and good men are distinguished not according
to personal character, but by their disagreement or friendship with
ourselves. We praise one day what we revile the next,
denunciation at the hands of others is a passport to our admiration; so
magnanimous are we in our viciousness, that everything is frankly
forgiven to impiety.