The same holds good of preconcerted political deception.

A State which employed deceitful methods would soon sink into disrepute.
The man who pursues moral ends with unmoral means is involved in a contradiction of motives, and nullifies the object at which he aims, since he denies it by his actions.

It is not, of course, necessary that a man communicate all his intentions and ultimate objects to an opponent; the latter can be left to form his own opinion on this point.
But it is not necessary to lie deliberately or to practise crafty deceptions.

A fine frankness has everywhere been the characteristic of great statesmen.

Subterfuges and duplicity mark the petty spirit of diplomacy.
[Footnote K: Mariana, "De rege et regis institutione." Toledo, 1598.] Finally, the relations between two States must often be termed a latent war, which is provisionally being waged in peaceful rivalry.