76. Do not always be Jesting. Wisdom is shown in serious matters, and is more appreciated than mere wit. He that is always ready for jests is never ready for serious things. They resemble liars in that men never believe either, always expecting a lie in one, a joke in the other. One never knows when you speak with judgment, which is the same as if you had none. A continual jest soon loses all zest. Many get the repute of being witty, but thereby lose the credit of being sensible. Jest has its little hour, seriousness should have all the rest.
76. Avoid constant joking. Wisdom shines through in serious matters and is more valued than mere wit. Those who are always ready with a joke are rarely prepared for serious situations. Like liars, they're not taken seriously—people always expect a lie from one and a joke from the other. It becomes unclear when you're speaking with genuine judgment, which is as good as having none at all. Constant jokes quickly become tiresome. Many gain a reputation for being witty but lose credibility for being sensible. Humor has its moment, but seriousness should dominate the rest of the time.
77. Be all Things to all Men—a discreet Proteus, learned with the learned, saintly with the sainted. It is the great art to gain every one's suffrages; their goodwill gains general agreement. Notice men's moods and adapt yourself to each, genial or serious as the case may be. Follow their lead, glossing over the changes as cunningly as possible. This is an indispensable art for dependent persons. But this savoir faire calls for great cleverness. He only will find no difficulty who has a universal genius in his knowledge and universal ingenuity in his wit.
77. Be adaptable to everyone—a tactful shapeshifter. Be scholarly with academics, pious with the devout. The key skill is winning everyone's approval; their goodwill leads to general acceptance. Observe people's moods and adjust accordingly, whether cheerful or solemn. Follow their cues, smoothing over transitions subtly. This skill is crucial for those in subordinate positions. But such versatility requires great intelligence. Only those with wide-ranging knowledge and quick wit will find this effortless.
78. The Art of undertaking Things. Fools rush in through the door; for folly is always bold. The same simplicity which robs them of all attention to precautions deprives them of all sense of shame at failure. But prudence enters with more deliberation. Its forerunners are caution and care; they advance and discover whether you can also advance without danger. Every rush forward is freed from danger by caution, while fortune some-times helps in such cases. Step cautiously where you suspect depth. Sagacity goes cautiously forward while precaution covers the ground. Nowadays there are unsuspected depths in human. intercourse, you must therefore cast the lead at every step.
78. The art of undertaking things. Fools rush in headlong; their boldness stems from ignorance. Their lack of caution also shields them from embarrassment when they fail. The wise, however, approach situations more carefully. They send caution and care ahead to scout for potential dangers. Every bold move is made safer by careful planning, though luck can sometimes play a role. Tread carefully when you suspect complexity. Wisdom advances cautiously while taking precautions. In today's world, human interactions are full of hidden complexities, so you must constantly assess your surroundings and proceed with care.
79. A Genial Disposition. If with moderation ’tis an accomplishment, not a defect. A grain of gaiety seasons all. The greatest men join in the fun at times, and it makes them liked by all. But they should always on such occasions preserve their dignity, nor go beyond the bounds of decorum. Others, again, get themselves out of difficulty quickest by a joke. For there are things you must take in fun, though others perhaps mean them in earnest. You show a sense of placability, which acts as a magnet on all hearts.
79. A pleasant personality. A cheerful nature, when balanced, is an asset, not a flaw. A touch of humor enhances everything. Even the most accomplished individuals engage in lighthearted moments, which endears them to others. However, they should always maintain their composure and not overstep social boundaries. Some people skillfully defuse tense situations with humor. There are times when it's best to treat things lightly, even if others take them seriously. Displaying a good-natured attitude attracts people to you.
80. Take care to get Information. We live by information, not by sight. We exist by faith in others. The ear is the area-gate of truth but the front-door of lies. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard; seldom she comes in elemental purity, especially from afar; there is always some admixture of the moods of those through whom she has passed. The passions tinge her with their colours wherever they touch her, sometimes favourably, sometimes the reverse. She always brings out the disposition, therefore receive her with caution from him that praises, with more caution from him that blames. Pay attention to the intention of the speaker; you should know beforehand on what footing he comes. Let reflection assay falsity and exaggeration.
80. Prioritize gathering information. We rely on information, not just what we see. Our existence depends on trusting others. While ears are the gateway to truth, they're also the front door for lies. Truth is more often seen than heard, and rarely comes in its purest form, especially from a distance. It's usually colored by the moods and biases of those who pass it along, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Truth always reveals the speaker's disposition, so be cautious when receiving it from those who praise, and even more so from those who criticize. Pay attention to the speaker's intentions and understand their perspective beforehand. Always use critical thinking to filter out falsehoods and exaggerations.
81. Renew your Brilliance. ’Tis the privilege of the Phœnix. Ability is wont to grow old, and with it fame. The staleness of custom weakens admiration, and a mediocrity that's new often eclipses the highest excellence grown old. Try therefore to be born again in valour, in genius, in fortune, in all. Display startling novelties, rise afresh like the sun every day. Change too the scene on which you shine, so that your loss may be felt in the old scenes of your triumph, while the novelty of your powers wins you applause in the new.
81. Reinvent yourself constantly. It's the privilege of the phoenix to rise anew. Skills and reputation tend to age, and familiarity breeds indifference. Often, a fresh mediocrity outshines long-standing excellence. Therefore, strive to reinvent yourself in courage, intellect, fortune, and all aspects of life. Showcase surprising innovations, and emerge anew each day like the sun. Also, change your environment occasionally. This way, your absence will be felt in your former spheres of success, while your revitalized talents earn acclaim in new arenas.
82. Drain Nothing to the Dregs, neither Good nor Ill. A sage once reduced all virtue to the golden mean. Push right to the extreme and it becomes wrong: press all the juice from an orange and it becomes bitter. Even in enjoyment never go to extremes. Thought too subtle is dull. If you milk a cow too much you draw blood, not milk.
82. Don't exhaust any experience, good or bad. A wise person once said that virtue lies in moderation. Taking anything to its extreme can turn it into a vice. Squeeze an orange too hard, and the juice turns bitter. The same applies to enjoyment—never overdo it. Overthinking makes ideas lose their spark. If you push too hard, you risk ruining the very thing you're trying to get—like drawing blood instead of milk from a cow.
83. Allow Yourself some venial Fault. Some such carelessness is often the greatest recommendation of talent. For envy exercises ostracism, most envenomed when most polite, It counts it to perfection as a failing that it has no faults; for being perfect in all it condemns it in all. It becomes an Argus, all eyes for imperfection: ’tis its only consolation. Blame is like the lightning; it hits the highest. Let Homer nod now and then and affect some negligence in valour or in intellect—not in prudence—so as to disarm malevolence, or at least to prevent its bursting with its own venom. You thus leave your cloak on the horns of Envy in order to save your immortal parts.
83. Allow yourself a minor flaw. Such imperfections often enhance one's talents. Envy, at its most polite, is also at its most venomous, condemning perfection as a fault. It becomes all-seeing, searching for flaws as its only consolation. Criticism, like lightning, strikes the highest points. Occasionally let your guard down in courage or intellect—but never in wisdom—to disarm ill will or prevent it from imploding. By doing so, you leave a decoy for Envy, protecting your true worth.
84. Make use of your Enemies. You should learn to seize things not by the blade, which cuts, but by the handle, which saves you from harm: especially is this the rule with the doings of your enemies. A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. Their ill-will often levels mountains of difficulties which one would otherwise not face. Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies. Flattery is more dangerous than hatred, because it covers the stains which the other causes to be wiped out. The wise will turn ill-will into a mirror more faithful than that of kindness. and remove or improve the faults referred to. Caution thrives well when rivalry and ill-will are next-door neighbours.
84. Leverage your enemies. Learn to grasp opportunities not by their risks, but by their potential benefits. This is especially true when dealing with your adversaries. A wise person gains more from their enemies than a fool does from their friends. Often, the opposition's ill-will can help overcome obstacles you might otherwise avoid. Many have achieved greatness due to their enemies' actions. Beware that flattery poses a greater threat than hatred, as it conceals flaws that criticism would expose. The wise use hostility as a more honest mirror than kindness, addressing or improving the faults it reveals. Caution thrives when rivalry and ill-will are close at hand.
85. Do not play Manille. It is a fault of excellence that being so much in use it is liable to abuse. Because all covet it, all are vexed by it. It is a great misfortune to be of use to nobody; scarcely less to be of use to everybody. People who reach this stage lose by gaining, and at last bore those who desired them before. These Manilles wear away all kinds of excellence: losing the earlier esteem of the few, they obtain discredit among the vulgar. The remedy against this extreme is to moderate your brilliance. Be extraordinary in your excellence, if you like, but be ordinary in your display of it. The more light a torch gives, the more it burns away and the nearer ’tis to going out. Show yourself less and you will be rewarded by being esteemed more.
85. Don't be a jack-of-all-trades. Being too versatile can be a drawback. When everyone wants your skills, it can lead to frustration. It's unfortunate to be useless, but it's almost as bad to be useful to everyone. People who become too in-demand end up disappointing those who once sought them out. These generalists wear themselves thin, losing respect from experts and the public alike. To avoid this, moderate your talents. Be exceptional in your skills, but modest in showcasing them. Like a torch, the brighter you burn, the faster you'll burn out. By showing less of yourself, you'll gain more esteem.
86. Prevent Scandal. Many heads go to make the mob, and in each of them are eyes for malice to use and a tongue for detraction to wag. If a single ill report spread, it casts a blemish on your fair fame, and if it clings to you with a nickname, your reputation is in danger. Generally it is some salient defect or ridiculous trait that gives rise to the rumours. At times these are malicious additions of private envy to general distrust. For there are wicked tongues that ruin a great reputation more easily by a witty sneer than by a direct accusation. It is easy to get into bad repute, because it is easy to believe evil of any one: it is not easy to clear yourself. The wise accordingly avoid these mischances, guarding against vulgar scandal with sedulous vigilance. It is far easier to prevent than to rectify.
86. Avoid scandal. Public opinion is shaped by many individuals, each with their own biases and tendencies to gossip. A single negative rumor can tarnish your reputation, and if it sticks as a nickname, your good name is at risk. Usually, these rumors stem from a noticeable flaw or odd characteristic. Sometimes, they're malicious exaggerations born from private jealousy and general mistrust. Malicious individuals can damage a strong reputation more easily with a clever jab than with a direct accusation. It's easy to fall into disrepute because people are quick to believe the worst about others, but it's challenging to clear your name afterward. Wise individuals prevent these misfortunes by carefully guarding against public scandal. It's far easier to prevent damage to your reputation than to repair it later.
87. Culture and Elegance. Man is born a barbarian, and only raises himself above the beast by culture. Culture therefore makes the man; the more a man, the higher. Thanks to it, Greece could call the rest of the world barbarians. Ignorance is very raw; nothing contributes so much to culture as knowledge. But even knowledge is coarse If without elegance. Not alone must our intelligence be elegant, but our desires, and above all our conversation. Some men are naturally elegant in internal and external qualities, in their thoughts, in their address, in their dress, which is the rind of the soul, and in their talents, which is its fruit. There are others, on the other hand, so gauche that everything about them, even their very excellences, is tarnished by an intolerable and barbaric want of neatness.
87. Culture and refinement. Humans are born uncivilized and rise above animals through culture. Culture shapes us; the more cultured we are, the more elevated we become. This perspective allowed ancient Greece to view other societies as barbaric. Ignorance is crude, and knowledge is the greatest contributor to culture. Yet even knowledge lacks sophistication without elegance. Elegance should permeate our intelligence, desires, and especially our conversation. Some individuals possess natural elegance in both internal and external qualities: their thoughts, manners, dress (the outer expression of the soul), and talents (its inner fruit). Others, however, are so awkward that everything about them, even their strengths, is marred by an unbearable and primitive lack of refinement.
88. Let your Behaviour be Fine and Noble. A great man ought not to be little in his behaviour. He ought never to pry too minutely into things, least of all in unpleasant matters. For though it is important to know all, it is not necessary to know all about all. One ought to act in such cases with the generosity of a gentleman, conduct worthy of a gallant man. To overlook forms a large part of the work of ruling. Most things must be left unnoticed among relatives and friends, and even among enemies. All superfluity is annoying, especially in things that annoy. To keep hovering around the object or your annoyance is a kind of mania. Generally speaking, every man behaves according to his heart and his understanding.
88. Be dignified and noble. A great person should never be petty in their conduct. They shouldn't scrutinize every detail, especially in unpleasant matters. While it's important to be well-informed, it's unnecessary to know everything about everything. In such cases, one should act with the generosity of a gentleman and the conduct of a gallant individual. Overlooking minor issues is a crucial part of leadership. Many things should be disregarded among family, friends, and even enemies. Excess is always irritating, particularly in annoying matters. Obsessing over things that bother you is unhealthy. In general, people behave according to their hearts and minds.
89. Know Yourself—in talents and capacity, in judgment and inclination. You cannot master yourself unless you know yourself. There are mirrors for the face but none for the mind. Let careful thought about yourself serve as a substitute. When the outer image is forgotten, keep the inner one to improve and perfect. Learn the force of your intellect and capacity for affairs, test the force of your courage in order to apply it, and keep your foundations secure and your head clear for everything.
89. Know yourself—your talents, abilities, judgment, and inclinations. You can't control yourself without understanding who you are. While there are mirrors for your face, there aren't any for your mind. Use careful self-reflection as a substitute. When you forget your outward appearance, focus on your inner self to improve and refine it. Understand your intellectual strengths and aptitude for various tasks. Test your courage to know when to apply it. Keep your foundation solid and your mind clear for all situations.
90. The Secret of Long Life. Lead a good life. Two things bring life speedily to an end: folly and immorality. Some lose their life because they have not the intelligence to keep it, others because they have not the will. Just as virtue is its own reward, so is vice its own punishment. He who lives a fast life runs through life in a double sense. A virtuous life never dies. The firmness of the soul is communicated to the body, and a good life is long not only in intention but also in extension.
90. The secret to a long life. Live a virtuous life. Two factors drastically shorten life: foolishness and immoral behavior. Some people die early due to a lack of wisdom, while others perish from a lack of willpower. Virtue rewards itself, just as vice punishes itself. Those who live recklessly exhaust their lives twice as fast. A life of virtue is eternal. A strong mind supports a healthy body, and a good life is not only rich in purpose but also in duration.
91. Never set to work at anything if you have any doubts of its Prudence. A suspicion of failure in the mind of the doer is proof positive of it in that of the onlooker, especially if he is a rival. If in the heat of action your judgment feels scruples, it will afterwards in cool reflection condemn it as a piece of folly. Action is dangerous where prudence is in doubt: better leave such things alone. Wisdom does not trust to probabilities; it always marches in the mid-day light of reason. How can an enterprise succeed which the judgment condemns as soon as conceived? And if resolutions passed nem. con. by inner court often turn out unfortunately, what can we expect of those undertaken by a doubting reason and a vacillating judgment?
91. Never start a task if you're unsure of its wisdom. Self-doubt in the doer is a clear sign of failure to observers, especially competitors. If you have doubts during action, you'll likely regret it later as foolish. It's risky to act when you're uncertain; it's better to abstain. Wisdom doesn't rely on maybes; it follows reason's clear light. How can a project succeed if your judgment condemns it from the start? Even decisions made unanimously by your inner council often fail, so what hope is there for actions taken with hesitation and uncertainty?
92. Transcendant Wisdom. I mean in everything. The first and highest rule of all deed and speech, the more necessary to be followed the higher and more numerous our posts, is: an ounce of wisdom is worth more than tons of cleverness. It is the only sure way, though it may not gain so much applause. The reputation of wisdom is the last triumph of fame. It is enough if you satisfy the wise, for their judgment is the touchstone of true success.
92. Transcendent wisdom. This applies to all aspects of life. The most important principle to follow in our actions and words, especially as we climb higher in our careers, is this: a small amount of wisdom far outweighs an abundance of cleverness. Wisdom is the surest path, even if it doesn't always earn the loudest applause. Being known for wisdom is the ultimate achievement in one's reputation. It's sufficient to earn the approval of the wise, as their judgment is the true measure of success.
93. Versatility. A man of many excellences equals many men. By imparting his own enjoyment of life to his circle he enriches their life. Variety in excellences is the delight of life. It is a great art to profit by all that is good, and since Nature has made man in his highest development an abstract of herself, so let Art create in him a true microcosm by training his taste and intellect.
93. Versatility: the power of many talents. A person with multiple skills is as valuable as several individuals combined. By sharing their zest for life, they enrich the experiences of those around them. Life's true pleasure lies in the diversity of talents. The key is to benefit from all that is good, and just as Nature has made humans the pinnacle of her creation, so should we strive to become well-rounded individuals. This can be achieved by cultivating our tastes and expanding our knowledge across various fields.
94. Keep the extent of your Abilities unknown. The wise man does not allow his knowledge and abilities to be sounded to the bottom, if he desires to be honoured by all. He allows you to know them but not to comprehend them. No one must know the extent of his abilities, lest he be disappointed. No one ever has an opportunity of fathoming him entirely. For guesses and doubts about the extent of his talents arouse more veneration than accurate knowledge of them, be they ever so great.
94. Keep your true potential a mystery. A wise person doesn't reveal the full extent of their knowledge and skills if they want to be respected by everyone. They let others catch glimpses of their abilities without fully grasping them. No one should know your exact capabilities, to avoid disappointment. Never give anyone the chance to completely figure you out. Speculation and uncertainty about your talents inspire more admiration than precise knowledge of them, no matter how impressive they might be.
95. Keep Expectation alive. Keep stirring it up. Let much promise more, and great deeds herald greater. Do not rest your whole fortune on a single cast of the die. It requires great skill to moderate your forces so as to keep expectation from being dissipated.
95. Keep expectations high. Continuously stoke enthusiasm. Let achievements hint at even greater things to come. Don't stake everything on a single opportunity. It takes skill to manage your resources in a way that maintains anticipation without letting it fizzle out.
96. The highest Discretion. It is the throne of reason, the foundation of prudence: by its means success is gained at little cost. It is a gift from above, and should be prayed for as the first and best quality. ’Tis the main piece of the panoply, and so important that its absence makes a man imperfect, whereas with other qualities it is merely a question of more or less. All the actions of life depend on its application; all require its assistance, for everything needs intelligence. Discretion consists in a natural tendency to the most rational course, combined with a liking for the surest.
96. The greatest wisdom. This is the pinnacle of reason and the cornerstone of good judgment. With it, you can achieve success efficiently. It's a divine gift, one that should be sought above all else. Wisdom is your primary defense and is so crucial that without it, a person is incomplete. Other qualities merely vary in degree, but wisdom is essential. Every action in life relies on wisdom's application. All endeavors need its guidance, as everything requires intelligent thought. Wisdom combines a natural inclination towards the most logical path with a preference for the safest approach.
97. Obtain and preserve a Reputation. It is the usufruct of fame. It is expensive to obtain a reputation, for it only attaches to distinguished abilities, which are as rare as mediocrities are common. Once obtained, it is easily preserved. It confers many an obligation, but it does more. When it is owing to elevated powers or lofty spheres of action, it rises to a kind of veneration and yields a sort of majesty. But it is only a well-founded reputation that lasts permanently.
97. Build and maintain a strong reputation. Reputation is the fruit of fame. Earning a good reputation is costly, as it stems from exceptional abilities, which are as scarce as mediocrity is abundant. Once established, however, a reputation is easily maintained. It brings many responsibilities, but its benefits outweigh them. When based on superior skills or high-ranking positions, a reputation can evolve into reverence and command respect. Remember, only a well-earned reputation endures.
98. Write your Intentions in Cypher. The passions are the gates of the soul. The most practical knowledge consists in disguising them. He that plays with cards exposed runs a risk of losing the stakes. The reserve of caution should combat the curiosity of inquirers: adopt the policy of the cuttlefish. Do not even let your tastes be known, lest others utilise them either by running counter to them or by flattering them.
98. Conceal your true intentions. Emotions are the gateways to your inner self. The most valuable skill is learning to mask them. Revealing your hand in a game of cards puts you at risk of losing. Use caution to counter others' curiosity: adopt the strategy of the cuttlefish, which obscures itself with ink. Keep even your preferences hidden, lest others exploit them by either opposing or pandering to them.
99. Reality and Appearance. Things pass for what they seem, not for what they are. Few see inside; many take to the outside. It is not enough to be right, if right seem false and ill.
99. Reality vs. perception. People judge based on appearances, not on true nature. Most only see the surface, while few look deeper. Being right isn't enough if it looks wrong or bad to others.
100. A Man without Illusions, a wise Christian, a philosophic Courtier. Be all these, not merely seem to be them, still less affect to be them. Philosophy is nowadays discredited, but yet it was always the chiefest concern of the wise. The art of thinking has lost all its former repute. Seneca introduced it at Rome: it went to court for some time, but now it is considered out of place there. And yet the discovery of deceit was always thought the true nourishment of a thoughtful mind, the true delight of a virtuous soul.
100. The wise person. Be a realist, a thoughtful believer, and a philosophical courtier. Embody these qualities genuinely, rather than merely appearing to possess them or pretending to have them. While philosophy has fallen out of favor in modern times, it has always been a primary focus for the wise. Critical thinking is less valued today, despite its importance. Seneca introduced it in Rome, where it briefly gained popularity in court circles before falling out of fashion. Nevertheless, uncovering truth has always been considered essential nourishment for the thoughtful mind and a source of joy for the virtuous soul.