in prestige, or the highest in station, for no one in such a position remains safe, nor can anyone who occupies such a rank remain secure in it.

The Best Course Is the Middle Way

The safest station is the middle one: it is neither slighted for being lowly nor eyed covetously for being lofty. One drawback of the highest rank is that its holder cannot hope to rise further, but must instead fear decline. The holder of a middle rank, however, may hope to advance, while a barrier stands between him and such fears.

Therefore, leave a rank above you both: it will divert the envious from you, while your friend may hope to see you attain it.

Do Not Seek Authority

Neither of you should seek an office of authority. Seeking it is disgraceful, whereas declining it is admirable for one invited to assume it. If either of you is tried with such an office, let his inward state be too noble for it to engender pride in him or cause him to display conceit. Let him know that authority does not elevate him; rather, it is a trial and an ordeal. He is exposed to one of two outcomes: either he will be removed and return to his former condition, or he will conduct himself badly while remaining in office, thereby earning a shameful reputation and a heavy burden of sin. If holding office and being removed from it are equal in his eyes, he will deserve either to continue in his work and attain his hope, or to be removed despite his good conduct, in which case his dismissal will not diminish his standing.

Being Sparing in Jest

Be sparing in jesting with your brethren, associating too closely with them, and going along with them in excessive familiarity. Enemies arise more often among those with whom one has such relations, whereas rarely will one who neither knows you nor is known to you become your enemy.