Chapter vii. 31.  Dans les disputes qui arriuent, principalement en conuersation, ne soyez pas si desireux de gagner, que vous ne laissiez dire a chacun son aduis, & soit que vous ayez tort, ou raison, vous deuez acquiescer au jugement du plus grand nombre, ou mesme des plus fascheux, & beaucoup plus de ceux de qui vous dependez, ou qui sont juges de la dispute.

In disputes that arise, especially in conversation, be not so desirous to overcome as not to leave each one liberty to deliver his opinion; and whether you be wrong or right you should acquiesce in the judgment of the majority, or even of the most persistent, all the more if they are your masters or patrons, or judges of the discussion.

87th. [Let your bearing be such] as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive [to what is said, without being too serious.  Contra]dict not at every turn what others Say

Chapter vii. 35.  Vostre maintien soit d’homme moderement graue, pose, & attentif a ce qui se dit, afin de n’auoir pas a dire a tout propos:  Comment ditez-vous? comment se passe cela? je ne vous ay pas entendu, & d’autres semblables niaiseries.

33.  Ne contredictes pas a tout bout de champ, a ce que disent les autres, en contestant & disant:  Il n’est pas ainsi, la chose est comme je la dy; mais rapportez-vous en a l’opinion des autres principalement dans les choses, qui sont de peu de consequence.

35.  Let your bearing be that of a moderately grave, serious man, and attentive to what is said so as to avoid having to say every moment:  ’How did that happen?  I did not understand you,’—­and other similar foolish remarks.

     33.  Do not continually contradict what others say, by disputing and
     saying:  ‘That is not the case, it is as I say;’ but defer to the
     opinion of others, especially in matters of small consequence.

88th.  Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressions, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse

Chapter vii. 39.  N’employez pas vn an a vostre preface, & en certaines longues excuses ou ceremonies, en disant, Monsieur:  excusez-moy! si ie ne scay pas si bien dire, &c., toutesfois pour vous obeyr, &c., & autres semblables ennuyeuses and sottes trainees de paroles; mais entrez promptement en matiere tant que faire se pourra auec vne hardiesse moderee:  Et puis poursuiuez, sans vous troubler, iusques a la fin.  Ne soyez pas long; sans beaucoup de digressions, ne reiterez pas souuent vne mesme facon de dire.

Do not take a year in your preface, or in certain long apologies or ceremonies, such as:  ’Pardon me Sir if I do not know how to express myself sufficiently well, &.c.; nevertheless in order to obey you,’ &c., and other similarly tedious and stupid circumlocutions; but enter promptly on the subject, as far as possible, with moderate boldness; then continue to the end without hesitation.  Do not be prolix; avoid digressions; do not often reiterate the same expression.

89th.  Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust