Never allow yourself to be put under oath save for one of two reasons—in order to clear yourself of disgraceful charges or to save your friends from great dangers. In matters of money, swear by none of the gods, not even when you intend to swear a true oath; for you will be suspected on the one hand of perjury, on the other of greed.

Make no man your friend before inquiring how he has used his former friends;Cf. Xen. Mem. 2.6.6. for you must expect him to treat you as he has treated them. Be slowCf. Solon, quoted in Diog. Laert. 1.60: φίλους μὴ ταχὺ κτῶ· οὓς δ′ ἂν κτήσῃ μὴ ἀποδοκίμαζε. to give your friendship, but when you have given it, strive to make it lasting; for it is as reprehensible to make many changes in one’s associates as to have no friend at all. Neither test your friends to your own injury nor be willing to forgo a test of your companions. You can manage this if you pretend to be in want when really you lack nothing.