“Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them.”
“There's no point in bragging in the good times. Your friends don't need to hear it and your enemies won't believe it anyway.”
“I realized that cats make a perfect audience, they don't laugh at you, they never contradict you, there's no need to impress them, and they won't divulge your secrets.”
“Keep friends at your back and foes where you can see them.”
“Don't explain. Your friends do not need it, and your enemies will not believe you”
“Never explain―your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.”