45．狡猾可以运用，但不能滥用

狡猾可以运用，但不能滥用。狡猾，不应成为你的嗜好，更不应该用于自夸。所有的计谋都须隐藏，最该隐藏的就是狡猾，人们最痛恨它。世上常有欺骗，因此你须多加留意。但是，你又不能将防人之心示于人，因为它会引起怀疑，招致麻烦，唤醒他人的报复之心，给你带来不可预知的灾难。做事之前考虑再三是十分有益的，没有比这更能证明你有智慧。能否运筹帷幄，决胜千里，全在于手段是否周全。

45．Use, but do not abuse, cunning

Use, but do not abuse, cunning. One ought not to delight in it, still less to boast of it. Everything artificial should be concealed, most of all cunning, which is hated. Deceit is much in use; therefore our caution has to be redoubled, but not so as to show itself, for it arouses distrust, causes much annoy, awakens revenge, and gives rise to more ills than you would imagine. To go to work with caution is of great advantage in action, and there is no greater proof of wisdom. The greatest skill in any deed consists in the sure mastery with which it is executed.