It is good manners to prefer those to whom we speak before ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom, in no sort, we ought to begin. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, if you be not knowing therein. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he himself professes; it savors of arrogancy. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some other time, also in what terms to do it; and in reproving, show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness. Mock not, nor jest at anything of importance; break no jests that are sharp or biting and if you deliver anything witty or pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself. Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precept. Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curses nor revilings. Be not hasty to believe flying reports, to the disparagement of any one. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature rather than procure admiration. Keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly, with respect to time and place. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature, and in all causes of passion admit reason to govern. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous, the first to salute, hear, and answer, and be not pensive when it is a time to converse. If two contend together, take not the part of either unconstrained, and be not obstinate in your opinion; in things indifferent be of the major side. Reprehend not the imperfections of others, for that belongs to parents, masters, and superiors. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt him without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion and indiscretion, however mean the person may be you do it to. When your superiors talk to anybody, hear them, neither speak nor laugh. Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions nor repeat often the same matter of discourse. Be not angry at table, whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not, put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish a feast.