What we believe to be the motives of our conduct are usually but the pretexts for it.
In its attempt to crush the Black Panthers, the FBI engineered frequent arrests on the flimsiest of pretexts.
Temporary deviations from fundamental principles are always more or less dangerous. When the first pretext fails, those who become interested in prolonging the evil will rarely be at a loss for other pretexts.
Often, the pretexts for starting a war are not real shortages of land, food or fuel, but rather perceptions - like fear, honor and perceived self-interest.
Mine was a trained Presbyterian conscience and knew but the one duty - to hunt and harry its slave upon all pretexts and on all occasions, particularly when there was no sense nor reason in it.
Pretexts are not wanting when one wishes to use them.
Tyrants seldom want pretexts.