Keep to yourself the final touches of your art.
When everyone covets something, they are easily annoyed by it.
A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.
I strive to be brief, and I become obscure.
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.
No one demands more caution than a spy, and when someone has the skeleton key to minds, counter him by leaving the key of caution inside, on the other side of the keyhole.