LVII
Abstaining from Deeds That Cause Trepidation
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The prince shall measure the guilt of the offender and punish him so that he offend not again: but the punishment shall not be excessive.
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Those that desire that their power shall last, let them brandish the rod smartly but lay it on soft.
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Behold the prince who ruleth with a rod of iron and causeth anguish unto his people: he shall stand without a friend and perish forthwith.
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Behold the prince whose cruelty is a byword among his people: his days will be shortened and he will perish forthwith.
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Behold the dour-faced prince who is inaccessible to his people: the wealth in his hands is like treasure guarded by a demon.
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If the prince is harsh of word and unforgiving, his prosperity, be it ever so great, will come to an end quickly.
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Words that are harsh and punishments that are excessive are the files that file away the iron of power.
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Behold the prince who will not take counsel with his councillors but who falleth into a passion when his projects fail: his prosperity will wane away.
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Behold the prince who looketh not to his defences while yet there is time: when he is surprised by a war be will be seized with trembling and perish quickly.
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The tyranny that yoketh to itself charlatans is the only burden under which the earth groaneth: there is none other beside.
LVIII
Considerateness
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Behold that ravishing Beauty called Considerateness: the world cannot go on smoothly without her.
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In considerateness have the amenities of life their existence: those who possess it not are a burden unto the earth.
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To what end is the song that cannot be sung? and what is the worth of the eye that showeth not indulgence?
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What is the use of eyes that merely show in the face, if they show not consideration for others according to their measure?
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Indulgence is the ornament of the eye: the eye that hath it not will be looked upon as a mere sore.
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Behold the men whose eyes show not consideration towards others: verily they are no better than the trees of the earth.
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Verily they are blind, those who are not considerate towards others: and there are none that truly see but are indulgent to others’ faults.
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Behold the man who can be considerate towards others without derogating from any of his duties: he will inherit the earth.
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It is nobility to forbear and show indulgence even unto those that have offended thee.
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Those who desire to be styled the very pink of courtesy will drink off even the poison that hath been mixed for them before their very eyes.
LIX
The Service of Intelligence
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Let the prince understand that Political Science and his Intelligence Corps are the eyes wherewith he seeth.
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It is the duty of the prince to learn betimes everything that befalleth every man and every day.
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Behold the prince that learneth not the happenings about him by means of scouts and spies: conquests are not for him.
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The prince shalt set spies to watch closely the officers of the realm, his own kindred, and his enemies.
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Behold the man who can wear an unsuspicious appearance, who will not know confusion before any man, and who can guard his secrets from ever leaking out: he is the proper man for the work of Intelligence.
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Spies and scouts shall disguise themselves as ascetics and holy men, and their investigation shall be thorough: and whatever is done them, they shall not let out their secrets.
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Behold the man who can draw out secrets from others and whose information is ever unconfused and clear: he is the man for the work of intelligence.
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Even the information that hath been obtained by a spy shall be tested by that of another.
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See that no spy knoweth the others engaged in the same work: when three reports agree, thou mayest give credence to them.
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Reward not openly thy officers of Intelligence: for if thou do, thou merely lettest out thy own secret.
LX
Energy
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Those that possess energy are alone to be called rich: as to those that possess it not, do they really possess what they own?
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Energy is the veritable possession of a man: for wealth endureth not forever and will depart from him one day.
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Behold the men that hold in their hands the resource called energy: they will never despair, saying, Alas, we are ruined!
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Behold the man who remitteth not ever from his activity: Good Fortune inquireth the way to his home.
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The water with which a plant is watered is the measure of the luxuriance of its flower: even so, the spirit of a man is the measure of his fortunes.
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Let all thy purposes be grand: for then even if they fail, their glory will tarnish never.
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Men of spirit flinch not before a defeat: the elephant planteth his legs only more firmly when he is hit by the deep-piercing arrow.
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Behold the men that are wanting in energy: the glory of an exhaustless liberality can never be theirs.
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What availeth his size and his sharp tapering tusks? The heart of the elephant sinketh when he seeth the tiger spring.
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Exuberance of spirit, that alone is strength: those that have it not are mere stocks: their human bodies alone make the difference.
LXI
Abstention from Sloth
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The perennial light called Family will be extinguished if it is invaded by the foul vapour of sloth.
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Let them call sloth by its real name and avoid it, those who desire to establish their family on a solid foundation.
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Behold the fool who huggeth assassin sloth unto his heart: his family will fall even before his day is ended.
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Behold the men who are sunk in sloth and who turn not their hand to any noble undertakings: their family will go to ruin and their vices will grow apace.
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Procrastination, forgetfulness, sloth, and sleep, these four are the cosy pleasure boats of those that are fated to perish.
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The slothful can never thrive in the world even though they have
