, or who are much older, and
those honoured with the degree of Doctor, though not exercising any
public function; and moreover they ought, at first, to return an
offer of the highest place, and afterwards receive that honour
modestly, as a favour.

34th. It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we speak before
ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought
to begin.

Chapter iii. 13. Il est de la derniere ciuilite de parler tousiours
mieux de ceux auec qui nous avons a conuerser, que de vous mesmes:
Et particulieremet quad ce sont des personnes eleuees audessus de
nous, auec qui il ne faut iamais contester en aucune maniere.

[Sidenote: Compare the last clause of this Maxim with Rule 40.]

It is the height of politeness always to speak better of those with
whom we have to converse than of ourselves. And particularly when
they are persons of a superior rank to ourselves, with whom we
ought never to dispute in any fashion.

35th. Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and
Comprehensive.

Chapter iii. 15. Le temps & le lieu, l'age & la difference des
personnes doivent regler tout cet vsage de compliments qui se fait
parmy les plus polis, & particulierement ceux qui consistent dans
les paroles. Mais l'on doit trancher court auec les personnes
affairees & ne leur presenter plus aux nez toutes ses agreables
fleurettes: il les faut epargner, & se faire entendre plustost par
mines, qu'auec des paroles.

Time and place, age and the difference between persons, ought to
regulate the whole custom of compliments as is done amongst the
most polite, especially compliments that consist in words. But one
should cut matters short with men of business, and not put one's
fine flowerets under their nose; one should spare them, and make
himself understood rather by looks than words.

36th. Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many
ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly
Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with
affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy

Chapter iii. 16. Comme le soin de la ciuilite la plus raffinee ne
doit pas beaucoup trauailler les esprits des Artisants & de la lie
du peuple enuers les Grands & les Magistrats; aussi est-il
raisonnable qu'ils ayent soin de leur rendr