567.
Advantageously Persecuted.—People who cannot make their merits perfectly obvious to the world endeavour to awaken a strong hostility against themselves. They have then the consolation of thinking that this hostility stands between their merits and the acknowledgment thereof—- and that many others think the same thing, which is very advantageous for their recognition.
568.
Confession.—We forget our fault when we have confessed it to another person, but he does not generally forget it.
569.
Self-sufficiency.—The Golden Fleece of self-sufficiency is a protection against blows, but not against needle-pricks.
570.
Shadows in the Flame.—The flame is not so bright to itself as to those whom it illuminates,—so also the wise man.
571.
Our Own Opinions.—The first opinion that occurs to us when we are suddenly asked about anything is not usually our own, but only the current opinion belonging to our caste, position, or family; our own opinions seldom float on the surface.