knaveries

• “One of the most curious theological knaveries ever practised is, in my opinion, that of a small bishop — the narrative asserts that he was a Biscayan bishop; however, we shall certainly, at some future period find out both his name and his bishopric — whose diocese was partly in Biscay and partly in France.”

  A Philosophical Dictionary

• “Van Dale proved, then, by numberless authorities, not merely that the Pagan oracles were mere tricks of the priests, but that these knaveries, consecrated all over the world, had not ceased at the time of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, as was piously and generally thought to be the case.”

  A Philosophical Dictionary

• “Thus they continued in such error, blindness, decrees, sophisms, superstitions; idle ceremonies and traditions were the sum of their new-coined holiness and religion, and by these knaveries and stratagems they were able to involve multitudes, to deceive the most sanctified souls, and, if it were possible, the very elect.”

  Anatomy of Melancholy

• “Commandments broken in a general smash; such rogueries and knaveries as no storyteller could invent; such murders and robberies as Thurtell or Turpin scarce ever perpetrated; — were by my informant accurately remembered, and freely related, respecting his nearest kindred, to any one who chose to hear him.”

  The Virginians

• “Let us about it: it is admirable pleasures and fery honest knaveries.”

  The Merry Wives of Windsor

• “Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and his cups; so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgments, turned away the fat knight with the great belly-doublet: he was full of jests, and gipes, and knaveries, and mocks; I have forgot his name.”

  The Life of King Henry the Fifth

• “I was so unpleasantly occupied, for some time after her departure, with the knaveries said to be practised among the dense cover of the Windmill Wood, that I did not immediately recollect that we had omitted to ask her any particulars about her guests.”

  Uncle Silas

• “He erects that conscience as a screen to his knaveries and tricks and wiles, and masks the whole with a cloud of words.”

  Through Russia

• “Begone from my presence, thou born monster, storehouse of lies, hoard of untruths, garner of knaveries, inventor of scandals, publisher of absurdities, enemy of the respect due to royal personages!”

  Don Quixote

• “The young Oxonian, on the contrary, had led out one of his maiden aunts, on whom the rogue played a thousand little knaveries with impunity: he was full of practical jokes, and his delight was to tease his aunts and cousins; yet, like all madcap youngsters, he was a universal favorite among the women.”

  The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon

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