Some wisdom from Hume

From the chapter "Of Liberty and Necessity" from the Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding:

The general observations treasured up by a course of experience, give us the clue of human nature, and teach us to unravl all its intricacies.  Pretexts and appearances no longer deceive us.  Public declarations pass for the specious coloring of a cause.  And though virtue and honor be allowed their proper weight and authority, that perfect disinterestedness, so often pretended to, is never expected in multitudes and parties; seldom in their leaders; and scaracely even in individuals of any rank or station.