XLVIII + 

Judging of Strength + 

Weigh justly the difficulty of the enterprise, thy own strength and the strength of thy enemy, and the strength also of your allies; and then enter thou upon it. + 

Behold the prince who knoweth his own force and hath learned what he ought to learn, and who oversteppeth not the limits his force and information: his invasions will never fail. + 

Many there have been who in the sanguineness of their hearts overestimated their strength and adventured, but were cut off in the middle. + 

Behold the men who know not to live in peace, who know not their own measure and who are full of self-conceit: they will have a swift end. + 

Put too many of them and even peacock’s feathers would break the wagon’s axle. + 

Those that have climbed to the top of the tree will lose their lives if they attempt to climb still higher. + 

Keep thou in mind the extent of thy wealth and let thy gifts be commensurate therewith: that is the way to conserve and divide thy substance. + 

It mattereth not if the feeder channel is strait, provided that the draining channel is not wider. + 

Behold the man that taketh not account of his measure nor liveth within the bounds thereof: he may look like prospering, but he will perish leaving no trace behind. + 

Behold the man that measureth not his wealth and lavisheth it with an unsparing hand: his substance will quickly come to nought. + 