Chapter iii · 13. Il est de la derniere ciuilité de parler tousiours mieux de ceux auec qui nous avons à conuerser, que de vous mesmes: Et particulieremet quãd ce sont des personnes éleuées audessus de nous, auec qui il ne faut iamais contester en aucune maniere.
Reading edition
[Sidenote: Compare the last clause of this Maxim with Rule 40.]
It is the height of politeness always to speak better of those with whom we have to converse than of ourselves. And particularly when they are persons of a superior rank to ourselves, with whom we ought never to dispute in any fashion.
35th. Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.