2495. But it was a certain kind of deceit not before observed so much in others, namely that they were able to slip into any company whatever, because in their life, by outer appearances and pretense as if they could oblige others in all and the least of their desires and aims, they had been able to observe every detail, so that scarcely anything escaped their eyes, and whatever they observed they intended to turn to their own good or advantage without any conscience toward those with whom they were. In short, there was nothing whatever of what was being thought and happening that they did not pick up on and then want to make use of for their own sake. It was therefore an active deceit constantly looking for ways they could turn something to their profit or advantage, concerned only for themselves, not for others.