If thou hast a cousin or schoolfellow who is somewhat
rustic or uncouth in his manner but nevertheless hath an excellent
heart, know him in private in thine individual capacity, but when
thou art abroad or in the company of other powers shun him as if he
were a venomous thing and deadly. Again, if thou sittest at table
with a man at the house of a friend and laughest and talkest with
him and playest pleasant, if he be not perfect in respect of
externals see thou pass him the next day without a smile, even
though he may have prepared his countenance for a thousand grins;
but if in the house of the same friend or another thou shouldst
happen to stumble upon him, deal with him as though thy previous
conversation had broken off but five minutes previously; but should
he be proud and have all nothing to say unto thee, forthwith
calumniate him to thine acquaintance as a sorry-spirited fellow and
mean.
And with regard to smoking, though that, too, is advantageous, it is
not necessary so much for the power as for the fast man, for the
power is a more calculating and thoughtful being than this one; but
if thou smokest, see that others know it; smoke cigars if thou canst
afford them; if not, say thou wonderest at such as do, for to thy
liking a pipe is better. And with regard to all men except thine
own favoured and pre-eminent clique, designate them as "cheerful,"
"lively," or use some other ironical term with regard to them.
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