Congenial yet cunning;Democratic yet devious.

To become a successful courtier, you must stab an opponent in the back with a velvet gloves on your hands and the sweetest smiles on your face.

Life in the court was a never-ending game that required constant vigilance and tactical thinking. It was civilized war.

“Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.” –Niccolo Machiavelli

Outwardly, you must seem to respect the niceties, but inwardly, unless you are a fool, you learn quickly to be prudent, and to do as Napoleon advised: Place your iron hand inside a velvet glove.

If you are trying to destroy an enemy who has hurt you, far better to keep him off-guard by feigning friendliness than showing your anger.

Instead of spending your time dreaming of your plan’s happy ending, you must work on calculating every possible permutation and pitfall that might emerge in it.

Looking back makes you learn from those who came before you and to educate yourself constantly not to remember past hurts or grudges.

“I shall never repeat such a mistake; I shall never fall into such trap again.”

Patience will protect you from making moronic blunders.

It’s only natural for people to cover up their actions with all kinds of justifications, always assuming that they have acted out of goodness.

NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER

All masters want to appear more brilliant than other people.

If you cannot help to be charming and superior, you must learn to avoid such monsters of vanity. Either that, or try to find a way to mute your good qualities.

REMEMBER: Never take your positions for granted and never let any favours you receive go to your head.

Make him appear more intelligent than you. Act naive. Make it seem that you need his expertise.

It is not a weakness to disguise your strength if in the end they will lead to power.

If your superior is a falling star, there is nothing to fear in outshining him.

Gauge his strength. If he is weak, discreetly hasten his downfall.

NEVER PUT TO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE ENEMIES

A Chinese proverb compares friends to the jaws and teeth of a dangerous animal: if you are not careful, you will find them chewing you up.

A person who has something to prove will move mountains for you.

You destroy an enemy when you make a friend of him.

Without enemies around us, we grow lazy. An enemy at our heels sharpens our wits keeping us focused and alert.

Never pick a fight with someone you are not sure you can defeat.

CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS

The best deceivers do everything they can to cloak their roguish qualities.

The great questions of the time will be decided, not by speeches and resolutions, but by iron and blood.

The paranoid and the wary are often the easiest to deceive.

He creeps like a mouse but he has jaws like a lion. – Balcha of Sidamo’s last words before entering the monastery

The better you blend, the less suspicious you become.

Win the victory before you declare the war.

ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY

The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.

I learned that you actually have more power when you shut up.

Once the words are out, you cannot take them back.

The momentary satisfaction you gain with your biting words will be outweighed by the price you pay.

SO MUCH DEPENDS ON REPUTATION--- GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE

The people around us, even our closest friends, will always to some extent remain mysterious and unfathomable.

A reputation for honesty will allow you to practice all manner of deception.

COURT ATTENTION AT ALL COST

It is better to be attacked, even slandered, than ignored.

GET OTHERS TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU, BUT ALWAYS TAKE THE CREDIT

Never do yourself what others can do for you.