"And what is the quickest way," asked Cyrus, "to win that reputation?"

"None quicker, my lad, than this: wherever you wish to seem wise, be
wise. Examine as many cases as you like, and you will find that what I
say is true. If you wished to be thought a good farmer, a good
horseman, a good physician, a good flute-player, or anything else
whatever, without really being so, just imagine what a world of
devices you would need to invent, merely to keep up the outward show!
And suppose you did get a following to praise you and cry you up,
suppose you did burden yourself with all kinds of paraphernalia for
your profession, what would come of it all? You succeed at first in a
very pretty piece of deception, and then by and by the test comes, and
the impostor stands revealed."

[23] "But," said Cyrus, "how can a man really and truly attain to the
wisdom that will serve his turn?"

"Well, my son, it is plain that where learning is the road to wisdom,
learn you must, as you learnt your battalion-drill, but when it comes
to matters which are not to be learnt by mortal men, nor foreseen by
mortal minds, there you can only become wiser than others by
communicating with the gods through the art of divination. But,
always, wherever you know that a thing ought to be done, see that it
is done, and done with care; for care, not carelessness, is the mark
of the wise man."

[24] "And now," said Cyrus, "to win the affection of those we rule--
and there is nothing, I take it, of greater importance--surely the
path to follow lies open to all who desire the love of their friends.