Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"E la prima coniettura che si fa del cervello d'uno signore, è vedere li unomini che lui ha d'intorno; e quando sono sufficienti e fedeli, sempre si può reputarlo savio, perché ha saputo conoscerli sufficienti e mantenerli fideli. Ma, quando sieno altrimenti, sempre si può fare non buono iudizio di lui; perché el primo errore che fa, lo fa in questa elezione." -- Niccolò Machiavelli (b. 1469-05-03, d. 1527-06-21), Il Principe, (apparently first shared under the title De Principatibus in 1513, published posthumously as Il Principe in 1532), chapter XXII

From "Nicholas Machiavel's PRINCE Translated out of Italian into English by E.D. with Some Animadversions Noting and Taxing His Errors", contained in Machiavelli, Volume I, by Niccolò Machiavelli, Translated by Peter Whitehorne and Edward Dacres (1640):

And the first conjecture one gives of a great man, and of his understanding, is, upon the sight of his followers and servants he hath about him, when they prove able and faithful, and then may he alwaies be reputed wise because he hath known how to discern those that are able, and to keep them true to him. But when they are otherwise, there can be no good conjecture made of him; for the first error he commits, is in this choyce.

From THE PRINCE by Nicolo Machiavelli Translated by W. K. Marriott:

And the first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and to keep them faithful. But when they are otherwise one cannot form a good opinion of him, for the prime error which he made was in choosing them.

Alternate translation to above, from Wikiquote:

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

For grins, Google Translate renders this (rather intelligibly):

And the first conjecture that is made of the brain of a gentleman is to see the men he has around him; and when they are sufficient and faithful, he can always be considered wise, because he has known enough about them and kept them trustful. But, when they are otherwise, one can always make good no judgment of him; because the first mistake he makes, he does it in this election.

[Gut yontiff to my friends celebrating Lag BaOmer tonight and tomorrow!]