215 -- Watch out for those who act on second thoughts.
It is a device of business people to put the opponent off his guard before attacking him, and thus to conquer by being defeated. They dissemble their desire so as to attain it. They put themselves second so as to come out first. This method rarely fails if it is not noticed. Let therefore the attention never sleep when the intention is so wide awake. And if the other puts himself second so to hide his plan, put yourself first to discover it. Prudence can discern the artifices that such a man uses, and notices the pretexts he puts forward to gain his ends. He aims at one thing to get another, then he turns round smartly and fires straight at his target. It is good to know what you grant him, and at times it is desirable to let him understand that you understand.

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