The Art of Worldly Wisdom

"They will allow a man to help them but not to surpass them, and will have any advice tendered them appear like a recollection of something they have forgotten rather than as a guide to something they cannot find."

"All men are idolaters, some of fame, others of self-interest, most of pleasure. Skill consists in knowing these idols in order to bring them into play." "First guess a man's ruling passion, appeal to it by a word, set it in motion by temptation"

"It lets a purpose appear in order to attract the opponent's attention, but then turns round and conquers by the unexpected." "It lets the first impulse pass by and waits for the second, or even the third."

"He that plays with cards exposed runs a risk of losing the stakes." "Do not even let your tastes be known, lest others utilise them either by running counter to them or by flattering them."

"Thus the only way to drive him from the better course is to take it yourself, for his folly will cause him to desert it"

"His affair seems to be in train when it is really only leading the way for another's." "Likewise with persons who always say No at first, it is useful to ward off this blow"

"it is generally an inducement to profess to supply only connoisseurs, for all think themselves such, and if not, the sense of want arouses the desire." "Never call things easy or common: that makes them depreciated rather than made accessible."

"Throw Straws in the Air, to find how things will be received, especially those whose reception or success is doubtful." "an opportunity is afforded for going on in earnest or withdrawing entirely."

"A pleasant manner has here an opportunity for a display of skill: with the same truth it can flatter one and fell another to the ground. Matters of to-day should be treated as if they were long past."

"The wise man would rather see men needing him than thanking him. To keep them on the threshold of hope is diplomatic, to trust to their gratitude boorish ; hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one." "It is a subtle point to satisfy the desire and yet preserve the dependence."

"they dissemble their desire so as to attain it. They put themselves second so as to come out first in the final spurt."

"Tepid incredulity acts as an emetic on secrets." "A sly depreciation of another's mysterious word scents out the profoundest secrets"

"Surprise them when in a pleasant mood, when a repast of body or soul has just left them refreshed" "It is no use applying when another has been refused, since the objection to a No has just been overcome."

"the same gift which would afterwards be merely a reward is beforehand an obligation." "with men of lower stamp the honorarium paid beforehand acts rather as a bit than as a spur."

"Every one may be of importance as an enemy if not as a friend. Few can do us good, almost any can do us harm." "If, however, a breach is inevitable, let it be rather excused as a slackening of friendship than by an outburst of wrath"

"It is an uncommon piece of shrewdness to change a rival into a confidant" "he leaves no time for injuries that fills it up with gratitude."

"A resolution declared is never highly thought of; it only leaves room for criticism. And if it happens to fail, you are doubly unfortunate."

"nor complain about it, for malice always aims where weakness can be injured." "The wise never own to being hit, or disclose any evil, whether personal or hereditary."

"Give way to the first and you must yield to the second, and so on till the last, and to gain your point at last costs as much trouble as would have gained much more at first."

"Some men's No is thought more of than the Yes of others : for a gilded No is more satisfactory than a dry Yes." "Your refusal need not be point-blank : let the disappointment come by degrees. Nor let the refusal be final"

"The other enters without anxiety ; having lost everything, including shame, he has no further loss to fear." "For even by victory he cannot gain what he has lost by exposing himself to the chances of loss."

"Hope is a great falsifier of truth ; let skill guard against this by ensuring that fruition exceeds desire." "A few creditable attempts at the beginning are sufficient to arouse curiosity without pledging one to the final object."

"generally they are not to be had when sought for, but fall into one's hands when one is not looking for them."

"To dissent from others' views is regarded as an insult, because it is their condemnation. Disgust is doubled on account of the thing blamed and of the person who praised it."

"You must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the centre of opportunity." "Time's crutch effects more than the iron club of Hercules."