279．不要回应驳斥你的人

不要回应驳斥你的人。对他人之驳斥，你必须搞清楚是出于狡诈还是出于粗鲁。驳斥并非总是出自顽固，还可能是个阴谋。对此，你须小心：前者让你受困，后者让你涉险。预防他人刺探，如何谨慎都不算过分。要防止撬锁者偷启你的心门，你只能用警惕的钥匙将其反锁。

279．Do not contradict the contradictor

Do not contradict the contradictor. You have to distinguish whether the contradiction comes from cunning or from vulgarity. It is not always obstinacy, but may be artfulness. Notice this: for in the first case one may get into difficulties, in the other into danger. Caution is never more needed than against spies. There is no such countercheck to the picklock of the mind as to leave the key of caution in the inside lock of the door.