Kings stand more in need of the company of the intelligent than the intelligent do of the society of kings.

It is safer to be silent than to reveal one's secret to any one, and telling him not to mention it.

Nothing is so good for an ignorant man as silence; and if he was sensible of this he would not be ignorant.

Court the society of a superior, and make much of the opportunity; for in the company of an equal thy good fortune must decline.

Avoid that which an enemy tells you to do; for if you follow his advice, you will smite your, knees with the hand of sorrow. If he shows you a road straight as an arrow, turn from it and go the other way.

Publish not men's secret faults, for by disgracing them you make yourself of no repute.

Take care how you listen to the voice of the flatterer, who, in return for his little stock, expects to derive from you considerable advantage. If one day you do not comply with his wishes, be imputes to you two hundred defects instead of perfections.