- Act with all your friends as if they are destined to become your enemies.
- In a community of interests, the danger erupts when one of the members becomes too powerful.
- When you try to obtain something, let no one notice your interest before you have obtained it.
- You have to recognize evil to be able to prevent it.
- What you cannot settle peacefully, do not try to settle through war or lawsuits.
- It is better to suffer light damage than to advance the cause of someone else in the hope of greater advantages.
- It is dangerous to be excessively tough in business.
- The center is preferable to the extremes.
- You must know everything without saying anything; be affable with everyone without trusting anyone.
- Happy are those who stay at an equal distance from all parties.
- Never fully trust anyone, and convince yourself that they do not think better of you than of others.
- When a party is large, even if you do not belong to this party, do not speak badly about it.
- Distrust where your feelings lead you.
- Before you offer a gift or throw a party, think through your strategy as if you are going to war.
- Do not let a secret approach you any nearer than you would let a prisoner intent on cutting your throat get near your throat.