5. “He rises early and stands humbly, anticipating every wish and signal. His smooth tongue and cunning words seem like eloquence. His gossip and hearsay seem like learning. His soft face and crooked heart seem like kindness. His foul conduct and fair speech seem like purity. His talent for exposing faults seems like loyalty. His ignorance of restraint seems like honesty. Thus such men are often advanced. For in truth, we favor those who serve our gain and neglect those who do not. Such is human nature.” 6. “The wise are always few, and the foolish many. The many protect one another and hide their flaws; the few stand alone and have no allies.

















