Love of the right, gold, pleasure, and fear of life, these four are the tests of a man: give thy confidence therefore to men that satisfy all these tests.27

Behold the man who is born of a good family, who is free from faults and who dreadeth disgrace: he is the man for thee.

Even men of rare learning and of pure hearts will not be found, when thou dost test them, to be absolutely exempt from all ignorance.

Weigh a man’s good and weigh his evil: whichever is more, take that to be his nature.

Dost thou want to find out whether a man is noble or little-minded? Know that conduct is the touchstone of character.

Beware of trusting men that have no kindred: for their hearts will be without attachment and they will be callous to shame.

If thou choose a fool for thy confidential adviser because that thou lovest him, he will lead thee to endless follies.

Behold the man that trusteth another without trying him: he createth endless evils even unto his posterity.

Trust not a man without trying him: and after trying your men, give each of them the work for which he is fit.

To trust a man whom thou hast not tried and to suspect a man whom thou hast found worthy lead alike to endless ills.