The Ruler Should Know How Vices Pass for Virtues

The ruler also ought to understand how commonly vices pass themselves off as virtues. Stinginess often disguises itself under the name of thrift, while wastefulness, on the other hand, hides itself under the name of generosity. Laxity beyond measure is often taken for loving-kindness, and unbridled anger is counted the virtue of spiritual zeal. Rash haste is often mistaken for effective promptness, and slowness for serious deliberation. So the ruler of souls must tell virtues and vices apart with watchful care. Otherwise stinginess may take hold of his heart while he delights in seeming thrifty in his spending; or, while something is being wastefully thrown away, he may pride himself on being, as it were, compassionately generous; or, by letting go what he ought to have struck, he may draw those under him into eternal punishment; or, by striking an offense without mercy, he may himself offend more seriously; or, by acting too soon, he may spoil what could have been done properly and soberly; or, by putting off the merit of a good action, he may turn it into something worse.