Ewiene once asked me, “Why don’t you participate more in inter-clan relations?” (The statement was paraphrased to be relevant to this subject; the actual quote was “Don’t you think you have had enough wine?”), to which I replied, “Politics is a nest of vipers, where a stray bite can utterly destroy your being.”

I speak from experience, for I have held considerable power some time ago, in a time and place where I will not mention. It can just be said that I was burned, burned by the fire that is politics. I now shy away from any politics, whether it be intraclan politics or interclan politics. However, for those who seek the path, here are some rules to live by. I ignored many of them, and I had paid for it.

1. The only one you can trust is yourself
Perhaps this rule seems cynical and adversary, but it simply the truth. Human nature is such that though treachery is one of the reviled crimes, it is also one of the most common. I do not suggest that you trust noone in such a way that you will alienate yourself from the clan that you will find no popular support. I simply note that never give someone the power to destroy you. If you have a secret that can be used against you, do not tell it to your closest friend. You may perhaps pray to the Creator to absolve yourself, but do pray in a secluded place. There are many loyal and trustworthy people in the world, but do not expect them to flock to your standard, for you will gain just as many who seem loyal and trustworthy. The fact is, you will be betrayed more, not out of jealousy or hate, but because they think they are doing the right thing in betraying you. Do not believe that a moral and judicious person will be safe. If they believe, either by misinformation (which I will speak later) or misdirection, that you are doing something detrimental to their moral or justice, they will betray you, though they will not call it that.

2. Gratitude has a shallow memory
This is illustrated by a very common anecdote, which I will bend to my own purposes.

A ruler, just and wise, has need of support from a citizen. He asks this citizen, who was tilling his fields, “Will you help me?”

The other replies, “Maybe.”

The ruler, surprised, says, “I aided you in finding your job, I sent a doctor when your wife was ill, and I gave you as a gift the plow you are now using. I have always listened when you brought in any petitions, and treated you fairly and right. After all the times I have helped you, why are you so uncertain?”

The citizen looks the man in the eye and replies, “Yes, but what have you done for me lately?”

Give aid to those who need it, but do not expect them to remember or return a favor. A selfish man will lose favor with his friends and allies, but let not a selfless man forget that memory is short and the past is history. Favors returned are bonuses; they are never to be expected. Anyone who expects it, or even rely on it, will be quite disappointed.

3. Always communicate, always inform.
When the line of communication is hindered or destroyed, nothing good will come out of it. If ever, it begins to falter, drop whatever physical deed you may be attempting to fix this intangible but essential function. It is the line that connects you and everyone. If it is cut, you will be separated by a barrier.

Lack of information breeds resentment. This is something you must never do: If there is ever a problem, do not silently work on fixing it. Tell everyone you are attempting to fix it, and give them updates. It might seem anti-productive, but always keep lines of communications whole before all else.

4. Treat idiots nicely
Yes, there's morons out there. They use all lower cases, mispell words, make stupid comments, and insert LOL!!!!1111 at the end of their sentences.

It is tempting to shoot them down. It is quite amusing, I will have to admit. But if you want any base of support, treat the idiots nicely. Listen to them (or at least pretend to). Don't call them idiots to their faces. There are a lot of idiots out there. Most of them are unreasonable, stupid, and can form a lot of angry mobs.

And who knows, they have good ideas or reasonable grievances once in a while. Give them a chance to prove themselves, and if they blow it, well, don't give them anything important.