And do not regard any one of my orders as a hardship; for those of you who make
 themselves most serviceable to my interests will most advance the interests of their own
 households. Let none of you imagine that even what he secretly thinks in his own heart
 will be hidden from me; nay, let him believe that, though I may be absent in body, yet my
 thoughts are present at what goes on; for, being of this opinion, you will be more
 restrained in your deliberations on all matters. Never conceal from me anything that you possess, or that you are doing, or that you
 intend to do, knowing that where there are things hidden, fears in great number must needs
 arise. Seek not to be artful nor underhand in your public life, but to be so honest and
 open that, even if anyone wants to slander you, it will not be easy to do so. Scrutinize
 your actions and believe that they are evil when you wish to hide from me what you do, and
 good when my knowledge of them will be likely to make me think better of you. Do not keep silent if you see any who are disloyal to my rule, but expose them and
 believe that those who aid in concealing crime deserve the same punishment as those who
 commit it. Consider fortunate, not those who escape detection when they do evil, but those
 who are innocent of all wrongdoing for it is probable that the former will suffer such
 ills as they themselves inflict, while the latter will receive the reward which they
 deserve. Do not form political societies or unions Political clubs
 may have been patriotic in old Athens (
 Isoc. 4.79 ) but they had now degenerated into secret
 associations conspiring against popular government. See Isoc.
 4.167 ; Thuc. 8.54 ; Aristot. Ath. Pol. 34 . without my sanction; for such associations may
 be an advantage in the other forms of government, but in monarchies they are a danger.
 Abstain not merely from wrongdoing, but also from such conduct as must needs arouse
 suspicion. Believe that my friendship is very sure and abiding. Preserve the present order and do not desire any change, knowing that revolutions
 inevitably destroy states and lay waste the homes of the people. Do not think that it is
 their natural dispositions alone which make rulers harsh or gentle, but the character of
 the citizens as well; for many before now have been compelled by the depravity of their
 subjects to rule more harshly than they wished.