LXVI
Purity of Action
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Alliances bring success unto a man: but purity of action fulfilleth his every desire.
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Always turn thy face away from those deeds that bring not glory as well as profit.
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Those that desire to rise in the world, let them abjure all action that can tarnish their glory.
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Behold the men who see things in their right proportions: even when fallen on evil days they stoop not to action that is dishonourable and mean.
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Let not a man do those things which make him cry afterwards, what is it that I have done? and if he hath done any such thing, it is good for him if he doth it not once again.
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Let not a man do those things that good men condemn, even to save the mother that bore him from starvation.
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The indigence of the worthy is better far than wealth that is amassed by dishonourable means.
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Behold the men that shun not those things that are forbidden by good morals: they will come to grief even if they succeed in their designs.
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All that is wrong in the midst of tears will depart also accompanied by weepings: but that which is acquired by righteous ways, even if lost in the middle, increaseth in the latter end.
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To try to lay by wealth by means of guile is like trying to preserve water in a pot of clay that is not baked.
LXVII
Decision of Character
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Greatness of achievement is nought else but the greatness of the will that striveth therefor: all other things come not near the mark.
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To avoid all action that is bound to fail and not to turn away from one’s purpose because of obstacles: these two are said to be the guiding principles of the wise.
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The man of action letteth his purpose appear only when that purpose is achieved: for an untimely disclosure would create obstacles that cannot be surmounted.
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To say a thing is easy for any man: but to do it in the manner undertaken is a rare thing indeed.
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Behold the man who hath acquired a name for the doing of great deeds: his services will be greatly in request with the prince and will be esteemed by all.
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That which they will, men acquire even in the manner that they will, provided they will with all their might.
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Despise not a man for his look: for there are men who are even as the axle pin of the mighty rolling car.
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When thou hast resolved upon a thing with all thy wits about thee, waver not but pursue thy purpose with vigour.
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Take up the doing of works that increase happiness: and even if thou have to suffer cruel mortification in the doing of them, steel thy heart and persevere to the end.
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Behold the men that have not the ambition to do great deeds: the world will not care for them whatever their other virtues may be.
LXVIII
The Conduct of Affairs
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The end of all deliberation is to arrive at a decision: and when a decision is come to, it is wrong to delay the execution thereof.
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Do with deliberation those things that ought to be done in a leisurely way: but put not off even for a moment those things that require prompt action.
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Go straight for the goal whenever circumstances permit: but when circumstances are against, follow along the path that offereth the least resistance.
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Uncompleted work and enemies that are left unsubdued are like unextinguished sparks of fire: they will grow betimes and overwhelm the perfunctory man.
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Five things should be carefully considered in the doing of all action, namely, the resources in band, the instrument, the nature of the action itself, the proper time and the proper place for its execution.
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Determine first the exertion necessary, the obstacles in the way, and the expected profit, and then undertake thy enterprise.
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The way to succeed in any undertaking is to learn the secret thereof from the man who is an expert in it.
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Men decoy one elephant by means of another: even so make one enterprise the means of achieving a second.
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Placate enemies even more swiftly than thou rewardest friends.
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The weak should not care to live in the midst of constant alarms: when an opportunity offereth itself they should submit to an alliance with the strong.
LXIX
The Ambassador
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A kind heart, high birth, and manners that captivate princes, these are the qualifications of the ambassador.
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A loving nature, a wise understanding, and skill in speech, these three are indispensable to the envoy.
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Behold the man who undertaketh to speak before princes words that shall profit his master: he shall be a scholar among scholars.
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Let that man go on embassies who possesseth intelligence and learning and a commanding presence.
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Conciseness of speech, sweetness of tongue and a careful eschewing of all disagreeable language, these are the means by which the ambassador shall work his master’s profit.
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Learning, sangfroid, persuasive speech, and a just instinct for what is meet for each occasion, all these are necessary qualifications in the envoy.
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He is the fittest ambassador who hath a just eye for time and place, who knoweth his duty, and who weigheth his words before uttering them.
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The man that is sent on embassies shall be firm of mind, pure of heart, and engaging in his ways.
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Behold the firm-minded man that will never let fall from his lips words that are weak and unbecoming: he is the fit man to deliver the messages of princes at foreign courts.
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Even when threatened with death the perfect ambassador will not fail in his duty but will endeavour to secure his master’s profit.
LXX
Comporting Oneself Before Princes
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Whoever desireth to move with princes, let him be like unto the men that warm themselves at a fire: let him not approach too near nor stand too far away.
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Not to itch for those things that the prince desireth: that is the secret of acquiring his lasting favour and thereby growing in affluence.
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If thou desire not to fall into disgrace steer clear
