Des devoirs Passage 34

Harum igitur duarum ad fidem faciendam iustitia plus pollet, quippe cum ea sine prudentia satis habeat auctoritatis, prudentia sine iustitia nihil valet ad faciendam fidem. Quo enim quis versutior et callidior, hoc invisior et suspectior est detracta opinione probitatis. Quam ob rem intellegentiae iustitia coniuncta, quantum volet, habebit ad faciendam fidem virium; iustitia sine prudentia multum poterit, sine iustitia nihil valebit prudentia.

Of these two qualities that inspire confidence, justice therefore has the greater power. Even without practical wisdom it possesses sufficient authority, whereas practical wisdom without justice has no power to inspire confidence. The more cunning and crafty a man is, the more hated and suspected he becomes once his reputation for integrity is removed. Accordingly, intelligence joined with justice will possess as much power to inspire confidence as it could desire. Justice without practical wisdom will have great power; practical wisdom without justice will have none.

De ces deux qualités propres à inspirer confiance, la justice est donc la plus puissante: même sans prudence, elle possède assez d'autorité, tandis que la prudence sans justice ne vaut rien pour gagner la confiance. Plus un homme est rusé et habile, plus il devient odieux et suspect si on ne le croit pas honnête. Ainsi, jointe à l'intelligence, la justice aura toute la force qu'elle voudra pour inspirer confiance; la justice sans prudence pourra beaucoup, la prudence sans justice ne pourra rien.