All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than to be important and dishonest. When you ask someone to do something for you, it is best to give the real reasons for wanting it rather than giving reasons which carry more weight. Most people who get ahead in the world lead clean, moral lives. Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble. The biggest difference between most criminals and other people is that the criminals are stupid enough to get caught.
Most people are brave.
It is wise to flatter important people. It is possible to be good in all respects. P.T. Barnum was wrong when he said that there's a sucker born every minute. It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there. People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly to death.