256．时刻做好防备

时刻做好防备。要防备粗鲁无礼、背信弃义、自以为是及各种愚蠢行为。世界上这些行为随处可见，最审慎的做法就是尽量避开它们。你每天都要当心，要用防御的武器武装自己，这样才能打败它们的攻击。你要防备这种情况，不要让自己的名声陷于粗鄙的威胁之中。以谨慎武装自己，就不会因为他人的粗鲁而投降。世道艰难，到处是可以颠覆我们名誉的陷阱。最好是剑走偏锋，仿照聪明的尤利西斯(1)的做法。遇到上面所说的冒犯，装作领会不到是很有用的。加之礼貌相助，将大有益处。这通常也是我们走出困境的唯一途径。

256．Go armed, always

Go armed, always, against discourtesy, perfidy, presumption, and all other kinds of folly. There is much of it in the world, and prudence lies in avoiding a meeting with it. Arm yourself each day before the mirror of attention with the weapons of defence. Thus you will beat down the attacks of folly. Be prepared for the occasion, and do not expose your reputation to vulgar contingencies. Armed with prudence, a man cannot be disarmed by impertinence. The road of human intercourse is difficult, for it is full of ruts which may jolt our credit. Best to take a byway, taking Ulysses as a model of shrewdness. Feigned misunderstanding is of great value in such matters. Aided by politeness it helps us over all, and is often the only way out of difficulties.