be not altogether inexcusable(give no cause for much criticism)

a prudential policy(a surefire plan)

to twist around

write in an easy and fluent style(write with easy and grace)

make detailed inquiries(take the trouble to make detailed inquiries)

chase the wind and clutch at shadows (make groundless accusations)(be taken in by rumours; on a false wrong scent)

be brazen in the extreme(be utterly shameless; Of all the gall!)

lose one's virtue in old age

nothing one does not know

not to submit to force

very wealthy(be a millionaire)

cannot help following conventions

recoil in fear(hang back in face of danger; hesitate to press forward)

stoop to compromise

thousands of words

perfect(without stain)

hear what one has never heard before

mediocre people are in power(can be compared to earthen pots making a lot of noise instead of the classical bells)

stand upon one's pantoffles

ruin befalls only on those who have weaknesses(Worms invest decayed matter.)