"There are eight causes of failure, three certain elements of success. There are six sources of strength and weakness.
"Beauty, a long beard, size, height, robustness, grace, courage, daring,—these eight, in which men surpass their fellows, are therefore passports to failure.
"Modesty, compliance, humility,—these three are sure roads to success.
"Wisdom manifests itself in the external.
Whereby the internal suffers.
Courage makes itself many enemies. Charity and duty towards one's neighbour incur many reproaches.
Three sources of weakness.
"To him who can penetrate the mystery of life, all things are revealed. He who can estimate wisdom at its true value,
Sc. at nothing.