Chapter VII 27. Quand Ceux Qui Out Sur Vous Commandement, Parlent à Quelqu’vn, Gardez Vous Bien de Parler, de Rire, Ou de les Escouter
When your Superiors talk to any one, do not speak, laugh, or listen.
85th. In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speak not till you are ask’d a Question then Stand upright put of your Hat & Answer in few words
Chapter vii. 30. Estant auec de plus grands que vous, principalement s’ils ont du pouuoir sur vous, ne parlez pas deuant que d’estre interrogé, & alors leuez-vous debout, découurez-vous, & répondez en pen de mots, si toutesfois l’on ne vous donne congé de vous asseoir, ou de vous tenir couuert.
Being with persons of higher position than yourself, and especially if they have authority over you, do not speak until you are interrogated; then rise, remove your hat, and answer in few words,—unless indeed you are invited to remain seated, or to keep your hat on.
86th. In Disputes, be not so Desirous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to y’e Judgment of y’e Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute.
Chapter vii. 31. Dans les disputes qui arriuent, principalement en conuersation, ne soyez pas si desireux de gagner, que vous ne laissiez dire a chacun son aduis, & soit que vous ayez tort, ou raison, vous deuez acquiescer au jugement du plus grand nombre, ou mesme des plus fascheux, & beaucoup plus de ceux de qui vous dépendez, ou qui sont juges de la dispute.
In disputes that arise, especially in conversation, be not so desirous to overcome as not to leave each one liberty to deliver his opinion; and whether you be wrong or right you should acquiesce in the judgment of the majority, or even of the most persistent, all the more if they are your masters or patrons, or judges of the discussion.
87th. [Let your bearing be such] as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive [to what is said, without being too serious. Contra]dict not at every turn what others Say
Chapter vii. 35. Vostre maintien soit d’homme moderément graue, posé, & attentif a ce qui se dit, afin de n’auoir pas à dire à tout propos: Comment ditez-vous? comment se passe cela? je ne vous ay pas entendu, & d’autres semblables niaiseries.
33. Ne contredictes pas a tout bout de champ, à ce que disent les autres, en contestant & disant: Il n’est pas ainsi, la chose est comme je la dy; mais rapportez-vous en à l’opinion des autres principalement dans les choses, qui sont de peu de consequence.
35. Let your bearing be that of a moderately grave, serious man, and attentive to what is said so as to avoid having to say every moment: ‘How did that happen? I did not understand you,’—and other similar foolish remarks.
33. Do not continually contradict what others say, by disputing and saying: ‘That is not the case, it is as I say;’ but defer to the opinion of others, especially in matters of small consequence.
88th. Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressions, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse
Chapter vii. 39. N’employez pas vn an à vostre preface, & en certaines longues excuses ou ceremonies, en disant, Monsieur: excusez-moy! si ie ne sçay pas si bien dire, &c., toutesfois pour vous obeyr, &c., & autres semblables ennuyeuses and sottes trainées de paroles; mais entrez promptement en matiere tant que faire se pourra auec vne hardiesse moderée: Et puis poursuiuez, sans vous troubler, iusques à la fin. Ne soyez pas long; sans beaucoup de digressions, ne reïterez pas souuent vne mesme façon de dire.
Do not take a year in your preface, or in certain long apologies or ceremonies, such as: ‘Pardon me Sir if I do not know how to express myself sufficiently well, &.c.; nevertheless in order to obey you,’ &c., and other similarly tedious and stupid circumlocutions; but enter promptly on the subject, as far as possible, with moderate boldness; then continue to the end without hesitation. Do not be prolix; avoid digressions; do not often reiterate the same expression.
89th. Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust
Hawkins vi. 40. Speak not evill of one absent, for it is unjust to detract from the worth of any, or besmeare a good name by condemning, where the party is not present, to clear himselfe, or undergo a rationall conviction.
90th. Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there’s a Necessity for it
Chapter viii. 2. Estant assis à table, ne vous grattez point, & vous gardez tant que vous pourrez, de cracher, de tousser, de vous moucher: que s’il y a necessité, faites-le adroitement, sans beaucoup de bruit, en tournant le visage de costé.
Being seated at the table, do not scratch yourself, and if you can help it, do not spit, cough, or blow your nose; should either be necessary do it adroitly, with least noise, turning the face aside.
(In the Washington MS. there is a notable omission of all that is said in the French and English books concerning grace before meat. At Washington’s table grace was never said.)
91st. Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.