45. In affairs of importance, the choice of words is of as much
consequence, as it would be superfluous in those of little moment.
46. During those calms which immediately succeed violent storms,
nothing is more difficult for ministers than to act properly; because,
while flattery increases, suspicions are not yet subsided.
47. The faults of our friends ought never to anger us so far as to give
an advantage to our enemies.
48. The talent of insinuation is more useful than that of persuasion,
as everybody is open to insinuation, but scarce any to persuasion.
49. In matters of a delicate nature, all unnecessary alterations are
dangerous, because odious.
50. The best way to compel weak-minded people to adopt our opinion, is
to frighten them from all others, by magnifying their danger.
51. We must run all hazards, where we think ourselves in a situation to
reap some advantage, even from the want of success.
52. Irresolute men are diffident in resolving upon the means, even when
they are determined upon the end.
53. It is almost a sure game, with crafty men, to make them believe we
intend to deceive those whom we mean to serve.
54. One of the greatest difficulties with princes is in the being often
obliged, in order to serve them, to give advice, the true reasons of
which we dare not mention.
55. The saying things which we foresee will not be pleasing, can only
be softened by the greatest appearance of sincerity.
56. We ought never to trifle with favor. If real, we should hastily
seize the advantage; if pretended, avoid the allurement.
57. It is very inconsequent to enter into engagements upon suppositions
we think impossible, and yet it is very usual.
58. The generality of mankind pay less attention to arguments urged
against their opinion, than to such as may engage the disputant to
adopt their own.
59. In times of faction and intrigue, whatever appears inert is
reckoned mysterious by those who are not accustomed to affairs of
moment.
60. It is never allowable in an inferior to equal himself in words to a
superior, although he may rival him in actions.
61. Every man whom chance alone has, by some accident, made a public
character, hardly ever fails of becoming, in a short time, a ridiculous
private one.
62. The greatest imperfection of men is the complacency with which they
are willing to think others not free from faults, of which they are
themselves conscious.
63. Experience only can teach men not to prefer what strikes them for
the present moment, to what will have much greater weight with them
hereafter.
64. In the management of important business, all turn to raillery must
be more carefully avoided than in any other.