Do not explain overmuch. Most men do not esteem what they understand, and venerate what they do not see. To be valued things should cost dear: what is not understood becomes overrated. You have to appear wiser and more prudent than he requires with whom you deal, if you desire to give him a high opinion of yourself; yet in this there should be moderation and no excess. And though with sensible people common sense holds its own, with most men a little elaboration is necessary. Give them no time for blame: occupy them with understanding your drift. Many praise a thing without being able to tell why, if asked. The reason is that they venerate the unknown as a mystery, and praise it because they hear it praised.

不要解释太多。很多人不珍重他们懂得的东西，而是推崇他们不懂的东西。想让某物受到重视，就要让人花些代价：人们对于费脑筋的事物才会给予很高的估价。如果你希望人们对你评价甚高，在与他们打交道时，就一定要显得比他们所要求的更明智、更审慎。但是要适当，不能过分。尽管对明理人来说，事情本身就已足够；但是对于大部分人来说，需要注意说话的技巧，不要给他们留时间来批评你，要让他们忙于琢磨你的意思。许多人赞美某物，却不知道为什么。原因就是：他们认为不懂的东西很神秘，从而产生敬畏；因为听到别人赞美，所以他们也要赞美。