Speak not in whispers in the presence of the great ones: nor smile to another’s face when they are near.
Do not try to overhear any conversation nor to fish out that which is withheld from thee: and then only receive the secret when it is imparted to thee.
Take into thy consideration the humour of the prince and the season that is, and then speak the words that will please him.
Speak those things before the prince that are pleasant to him; but things that are unprofitable, speak not ever even if he demandeth.
Trifle not with the prince because he is young or because he is thy kinsman or connection: but walk with awe before the light that is within him.
Behold the men whose vision is unconfused and clear: they never do things that displease the prince, saying, we are favoured of him.
The men that rely on their intimacy with the prince and do unworthy deeds will perish.
LXXI
Judging by Looks
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Behold the man who divineth what is in the mind before the voice uttereth it: he is an ornament unto all the world.
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Look upon that man as a God who divineth with certitude that which is in the heart.
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Behold the men that can judge a man’s intentions from his looks: take them into thy council at whatever cost.
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The men that understand without words may have the same features with the men that do not so understand: but they form a class apart.
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What is the place of the eve among the organs of sense, if it divineth not by a look that which is in the heart?
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Even as the crystal changeth and assumeth the colour of that which is near, even so doth the face alter and show that which overfloweth the heart.
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What is there that is subtler than the face? for whether the heart is angry or glad it is the face that expresseth it first.
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If thou canst find a man that is able to read the inside of thy heart without words, it is enough that thou merely lookest towards him and thy wishes will be fulfilled.
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If there are men who understand its moods and tricks, the eye alone will declare whether there is hatred in the heart or friendship.
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The measuring rod of those that call themselves subtle is, when thou search for it, nought else but their eye.
LXXII
Judging of the Audience
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O ye that know how to weigh your words! study well your audience and suit your speech to it.
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O ye that have the gift of eloquence! ascertain the mood of your audience first and then speak after careful deliberation.
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Behold the men that take upon themselves to address an assembly without studying its nature: they know not the art of speaking nor are they good for anything else.
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Discuss wisdom in the congregation of the wise: but answer fools according to the measure of their folly.
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Behold the self-control that denieth itself the lead in an assembly of ancients: it is a virtue that outshineth even other virtues.
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A failure before men of understanding is like falling off from the way of righteousness.
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The learning of the scholar shineth forth in all its brilliance only in an assembly of accomplished critics.
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Delivering an address of good counsel to men of understanding is like watering the roots of living plants.
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O ye that desire to delight the wise by your discourses! beware of addressing even by mistake an audience of fools.
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A discourse spoken before the unworthy is like unto ambrosia spilled on filthy ground.
LXXIII
Self-Confidence Before an Audience
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Behold the men that know how to weigh their words: they will also know how to order their discourse and will not fail before a wise audience.
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Behold the man who can sustain his conclusions in the congregation of the learned: he will be called a scholar among scholars.
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They are common, those that can brave death on the battlefield: but they are rare who can face an audience without trembling.
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Place before the learned that which thou hast mastered: and that which thou knowest not, learn from them that excel therein.
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Master thou the science of reasoning that thou mayest speak without fear in any assembly.
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What have they to do with swords, those who have no mettle in them? and what have they to do with books, those who are afraid to face the assembly of the wise?
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Even as the sword in the hand of the eunuch on the battlefield is the learning of him who is afraid to face an audience.
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Behold the men who cannot drive home their point before a learned assembly: even if they possess varied learning they are good for nothing.
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Behold the men that possess learning but fear to face an assembly of learned men: they will be esteemed lower than even the ignorant.
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Behold the men that are afraid before an assembly and are unable to expound what they have learned: though they breathe, they are no better than dead men.
LXXIV
The Country
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That is the great country which never faileth in its yield of harvests, and which is the abode of sages and of rich men that are worthy.
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That is the great country which attracteth men to itself by the greatness of its wealth and which yieldeth abundantly for that it is free from pests.
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Behold the great nation: even if burdens upon burdens press down upon it, it will support them bravely and pay its taxes in full withal.
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That is the great country which is free from famines and plagues, and which is safe from the invasions of enemies.
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That is the great nation which is not divided into warring sects, which is free from murderous anarchists, and which hath no traitors within its bosom to ruin it.
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Behold the land that hath known no devastation by its foes, and which, even should it suffer any, would not bate one whit in its yield: it
