The king who seeks to acquire prosperity should always engage the services of men who are brave, devoted, and incapable of being imposed on by enemies well-born, healthy, well-behaved, and connected with wellbehaved and respectable families, families, never inclined to insult others, well read in all the sciences, possessing a knowledge of the worldly affairs, never unmindful of future life, always observant of their duties, honest, and firm like mountains. The objects of enjoyments should be the same with him and them. The only difference should be in his umbrella and his power of passing orders.