Use good instruments. Some would have the subtlety of their wits proven by the poorness of their instruments. This is a dangerous satisfaction and deserves a fatal punishment. The excellence of a minister never diminished the greatness of his lord. All the flory of exploits reverts to the principal actor, also all the blame. Fame only does business with principals. She does not say, “This had good, that had bad servants,” but, “This was a good artist, that a bad one.” Therefore, let your assistants be selected and tested, for you have to trust to them an immortality of fame.

THE ART OF WORLDLY WISDOM BY BALTHASAR GRACIAN
TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH JACOBS 1892