461.

Expenditure, return, and profit of the deed

In time to come: weigh these —then to the act proceed.

462.

With chosen friends deliberate; next use thy private thought;

Then act. By those who thus proceed all works with ease are wrought.

463.

To risk one's all and lose, aiming at added gain,

Is rash affair, from which the wise abstain.

464.

A work of which the issue is not clear,

Begin not they reproachful scorn who fear.

465.

With plans not well matured to rise against your foe,

Is way to plant him out where he is sure to grow!

466.

'Tis ruin if man do an unbefitting thing;

Fit things to leave undone will equal ruin bring.

467.

Think, and then dare the deed! Who cry,

'Deed dared, we'll think,' disgraced shall be.

468.

On no right system if man toil and strive,

Though many men assist, no work can thrive.

469.

Though well the work be done, yet one mistake is made,

To habitudes of various men when no regard is paid.

470.

Plan and perform no work that others may despise;

What misbeseems a king the world will not approve as wise.