Converse in whispers with thy friends Lest thy sanguinary foe may hear thee.

Converse in whispers with thy friends Lest thy sanguinary foe may hear thee. Take care of what thou sayest in front of a wall Because an ear may be behind the wall. Admonition 6 Whoever makes peace with the enemies of his friends greatly injures his friends. Wash thy hands, O wise man, from a friend Who is sitting together with thy foes. Admonition 7 When thou art uncertain in transacting an affair, select that portion of it which will entail no danger to thee.

Speak not harshly to a man of gentle speech. Seek not to fight with him who knocks at the door of peace. Admonition 8 As long as an affair can be arranged with gold, it is not proper to endanger life. When the hand is foiled in every stratagem It is licit to put the hand to the sword. Admonition 9 Do not pity the weakness of a foe because when he gains strength he will not spare thee. Boast not of thy moustaches when thou seest thy foe is weak. There is marrow in every bone, a man in every coat.

Maxim 9 Whoever slays a bad fellow saves mankind from a calamity and him from the wrath of God. Condonation is laudable but nevertheless Apply no salve to the wound of an oppressor of the people. He who had mercy upon a serpent Knew not that it was an injury to the sons of Adam. Maxim 10 It is a mistake to accept advice from an enemy but permissible to hear it; and to act contrary to it is perfectly correct.

Be cautious of what a foe tells thee to do Lest thou strike thy knee with the hand of pain. If he points thy way to the right like an arrow Deflect therefrom and take that to the left hand. Admonition 10 Wrath beyond measure produces estrangement and untimely kindness destroys authority. Be neither so harsh as to disgust the people with thee nor so mild as to embolden them. Severity and mildness together are best Like a bleeder who is a surgeon and also applies a salve.

A wise man uses neither severity to excess Nor mildness; for it lessens his authority. He neither exalts himself too much Nor exposes himself at once to contempt. A youth said to his father: 'O wise man, Give me for instruction one advice like an aged person.' He said: 'Be kind but not to such a degree That a sharp-toothed wolf may become audacious.' Maxim 11 May that prince never govern a kingdom Who is not an obedient slave to God.

Admonition 11 It is incumbent upon a padshah to give way to anger towards his slaves only so far as to retain the confidence of his friends.