Know how to withdraw. If it is a great lesson in life to know how to deny, it is a still greater to know how to deny oneself as regards both affairs and persons. There are extraneous occupations which eat away precious time. To be occupied in what does not concern you is worse than doing nothing. It is not enough for a careful man not to interfere with others, he must see that they do not interfere with him. One is not obliged to belong so much to all as not to belong at all to oneself. So with friends, their help should not be abused or more demanded from them than they themselves will grant. All excess is a failing, but above all in personal intercourse. A wise moderation in this best preserves the goodwill and esteem of all, for by this means that precious boon of courtesy is not gradually worn away. Thus you preserve your genius free to select the elect, and never sin against the unwritten laws of good taste.

知道如何逃避。懂得如何拒绝是人生最重要的一课，其中，更重要的是懂得如何拒绝牵涉某些事与人。那些无关之事只是徒耗宝贵时光。忙于无关之事，还不如什么都不做。对一个谨慎细致的人来说，不仅不干涉他人，还要注意不被他人干涉。别完全属于他人，以免完全失去自己。对于朋友，你不能滥用其帮助，你所求之帮助不能超过他们愿意给你的。过犹不及，人际交往最忌失衡。明智地适可而止，可赢得别人的善意和尊重，用这种方法，别人才会始终对你客客气气。懂得逃避，你才能保住自己的才华，去自由选择最好的东西，而不违背追求高品位的不成文法则。