William Somerset Maugham. Christmas vacation (№ 126548)

A friend turns on you only your best sides, he is attentive, courteous, he hides his bad qualities behind a mask of conventional propriety. But go down with him closer, and he kicks the mask, will not give himself the trouble to pretend to you'll stand being such a low, nature is such a mediocre, weak, corrupt, you will be terrified, if still do not understand, - that man is by nature and condemn it as silly as to condemn the wolf for a ravenous appetite or a deadly Cobra bite. The essence of human nature - selfishness. Selfishness and his strength and weakness.