"Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers."
"Many get the repute of being witty but thereby lose the credit of being sensible. Jest has its little hour, seriousness should have all the rest."
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Source: Baltasar Gracian, Baltasar Gracián y Morales (2004). “The Art of Worldly Wisdom”, p.44, Shambhala Publications
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