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,后者則會導致尷尬。在玩樂時暴怒的人就像野獸,甚至比野獸更野蠻。大膽的嘲弄可以讓人開心,能夠經受住說明你很有魄力。如果你表現出生氣,就會讓別人也生氣。最好別去理會--這是避免被人當成傻瓜最可靠的方法。玩笑常會導致最嚴重的問題,沒有比這更需要機智和警覺。開玩笑之前,應知道玩笑對象能承受的程度。
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.