He should so act as others (his enemies) may not find any fault in him. But he should see the faults (defects) others. He should keep his resources concealed as does a tortoise his members of body. Having begun a particular act, he should ever completely accomplish it. A thorn, if not wholly extracted, produces a fostering sore.
नास्यच्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेण परमन्वियात्। गृहेत् कूर्म इवाङ्गानि रक्षेद् विवरमात्मनः॥ नासम्यक्कृतकारी स्यादुपक्रम्य कदाचन। कण्टको ह्यपि दुश्छिन्न आसावं जनयेच्चिरम्॥