The wise persono would rather see others needing him than thanking him.

Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgment keep her in check.

You have to appear wiser and more prudent than is required by the people you are dealing with if you want to give a high opinion of yourself.

Most do violence to their natural aptitude, and thus attain superiority in nothing.

Never participate in the secrets of those above you; you think you share the fruit, and you share the stones - the confidence of a prince is not a grant, but a tax

Don't take the wrong side of an argument just because your opponent has taken the right side.

A wise prince must never take things easy in times of peace.