Being a Slytherin...

...means being ahead of the curve; knowing where the world is going long before it gets there.

...means that you are never caught having made a mistake. It was either not a mistake, actually a twist of good fortune, an accident out of your control, or the error of another - with you choosing which one as needed. There are exceptions: the little slips that you can use to present yourself as but a humble and imperfect human, should this suit your situation.

...is planning your moves so far in advance and with such hidden cunning that it is not until all your opponents have fallen that they realize they were nothing but pieces, and you the only player.

...is knowing when the burden of a broken promise would be too great, and then ensuring that it is honoured. However, should an enemy break a promise, they must be made to feel all that weight and more...

...obviously means playing by the rules. The ones you've written, that is.

...means accepting what cannot be changed but saving your energy for when you can actually make a difference.

...is knowing to bite your tongue when speaking will only make things worse.

...means holding a grudge as long as necessary and knowing the value of your own forgiveness.

...means that many of your greatest accomplishments are unfortunately of the kind that should be kept secret.

...means that in any game of betrayal, you are the only one trusted by all, and the only one with a knife poised to strike the back of every other.

...means knowing the difference between irritating pity and actual help, and never telling your troubles to those who will only give you the former.

...is pushing yourself no farther than you can go.

...is having your eyes on every place your opponent isn't looking.

...is knowing how to exaggerate your sufferings when you need increased sympathy.

...means having the constitution of water, ever flowing and adapting, freezing when pressured and disappearing into the air when freed, and always being the essence of life.

...is having a taste for dark humour.

...means being proud of your story.