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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: the sage was always accessible; but after some deliberation it
appeared that by this artifice no acquaintance could be formed, for
their conversation would be short, and they could not decently
importune him often. "This," said Rasselas, "is true; but I have
yet a stronger objection against the misrepresentation of your
state. I have always considered it as treason against the great
republic of human nature to make any man's virtues the means of
deceiving him, whether on great or little occasions. All imposture
weakens confidence and chills benevolence. When the sage finds
that you are not what you seemed, he will feel the resentment
natural to a man who, conscious of great abilities, discovers that
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