The good diplomatist is not the one who forces events, but the one who
foresees them, and, when they come, knows how to make the best of them.
The good diplomatist is not the one who successfully takes people in,
but the one who, when he has discovered who are his true friends, sticks
to them through thick and thin.

* * *

I prefer unrighteousness to self-righteousness. The unrighteous man may
see the error of his ways and improve. He may even be lovable. The
self-righteous man is unteachable, uncharitable, unloving, unlovable,
and unlovely.

* * *

You can judge the social standing of a woman from the way she sits down.

* * *

A woman may love a man she has hated, never one she has despised, seldom
one who has been indifferent to her.

* * *

A woman is seldom jealous of another on account of her intellectual
attainments, but if her bosom friend has on purpose or by mere chance
eclipsed her by her dress at a party, they will probably be no longer on
speaking terms.

* * *

Scientific men are generally the most honest of men, because their minds
are constantly bent on the pursuit of truth.

* * *

It requires a head better screwed on the shoulders to stand success than
to endure misfortune.

* * *

The world is not ruled by men of talent, but by men of character.

* * *

A vain man speaks either well or ill of himself. A modest man never
speaks of himself at all.

CHAPTER II

OH, YOU MEN!

The Paris _Presse_ had asked its male readers to mention which virtue
they most admire in women. Here is the result, with the number of votes
obtained by each virtue, and truly it is not an edifying result:

1. Faithfulness 8,278
2. Economy 7,496
3. Kindness 6,736
4. Order 5,052
5. Modesty 4,975
6. Devotion 4,782
7. Charity 4,575
8. Sweetness 4,565
9. Cleanliness 3,594
10. Patience 2,750
11. Maternal love 2,703
12. Industry 2,125
13. Courage 1,758
14. Discretion 1,687
15. Simplicity 1,580
16. Wisdom 1,417
17. Honesty 1,389
18. Amiability 1,273
19. Chastity 1,230
20. Propriety 969
21. Self-abnegation 868

Surely, here is food for reflections and comme