241.容忍別人嘲笑,但別嘲弄他人
容忍別人嘲笑,但別嘲弄他人。前者表示謙恭,后者則會(huì)導(dǎo)致尷尬。在玩樂(lè)時(shí)暴怒的人就像野獸,甚至比野獸更野蠻。大膽的嘲弄可以讓人開(kāi)心,能夠經(jīng)受住說(shuō)明你很有魄力。如果你表現(xiàn)出生氣,就會(huì)讓別人也生氣。最好別去理會(huì)--這是避免被人當(dāng)成傻瓜最可靠的方法。玩笑常會(huì)導(dǎo)致最嚴(yán)重的問(wèn)題,沒(méi)有比這更需要機(jī)智和警覺(jué)。開(kāi)玩笑之前,應(yīng)知道玩笑對(duì)象能承受的程度。
241.Put up with raillery, but do not practise it
Put up with raillery, but do not practise it. The first is a form of courtesy, the second may lead to embarrassment. To snarl at play has something of the beast and seems to have more. Audacious raillery is delightful, to stand it proves power. To show oneself annoyed causes the other to be annoyed. Best leave it alone; the surest way not to put on the fool's cap that might fit. The most serious matters have arisen out of jests. Nothing requires more tact and attention. Before you begin to joke know how far the subject of your joke is able to bear it.