The Mistake of a Friend for an Enemy, or of an Enemy for a Friend, is
one of the most Pernicious Errors of a Rash Man’s Life; for there’s
Judgment, good Nature, Generosity, Justice, common Prudence, and All
at Stake. Nothing can be more Disobliging to a Friend on the One hand,
or more Ruinous to my self on the Other. Charity however bids me Hope
and Think the Best, provided at the Same Time, that I Secure the main
Chance. Now this Caution holds as well in _Politiques_, as in _Morals_;
and in Publick Cases as well as in Private; for there is Nothing more
Frequent, then for People to take their Oppressors for their Protectors,
and their Protectors for their Oppressors: As the _Bees_ here Spar’d the
_Thief_, and fell foul upon their _Keeper_. This is the very Humour of
the _Mobile_, when they mistake the Man.