14．事物本身及做事的方法

事物本身及做事的方法。只注意事物本身还不够，还需注意做事的方法。坏的方式会毁掉所有事情——哪怕你是有道理的和正义的；好的做事方式可对事情有所补益，可让“拒绝”冠冕堂皇，让真相更喜闻乐见，甚至让苍老的面孔增色一点。如何做事，至关重要。礼节可获得人们好感。良好的风度给生活增添乐趣，令人愉快的表达助你轻松地摆脱困境。

14．The thing itself and the way it is done

The thing itself and the way it is done. Substance is not enough, attention to circumstance is also required, as the scholastics say. A bad manner spoils everything, even reason and justice; a good one supplies everything, gilds a No, sweetens truth, and adds a touch of beauty to old age itself. The how plays a large part in affairs, a good manner steals into the affections. Fine behaviour is a joy in life, and a pleasant expression helps out of a difficulty in a remarkable way.