241．容忍别人嘲笑，但别嘲弄他人

容忍别人嘲笑，但别嘲弄他人。前者表示谦恭，后者则会导致尴尬。在玩乐时暴怒的人就像野兽，甚至比野兽更野蛮。大胆的嘲弄可以让人开心，能够经受住说明你很有魄力。如果你表现出生气，就会让别人也生气。最好别去理会——这是避免被人当成傻瓜最可靠的方法。玩笑常会导致最严重的问题，没有比这更需要机智和警觉。开玩笑之前，应知道玩笑对象能承受的程度。

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.