The most privileged position, in life as in society, is that of an educated soldier. Rough warriors, at any rate, remain true to their character, and as great strength is usually the cover for good nature, we get on with them at need.
No one is more troublesome than an awkward civilian. As his business is not with anything brutal or coarse, he might be expected to show delicacy of feeling.
When we live with people who have a delicate sense of what is fitting, we get quite anxious about them if anything happens to disturb this sense.
No one would come into a room with spectacles on his nose, if he knew that women at once lose any inclination to look at or talk to him.
A familiar in the place of a respectful demeanour is always ridiculous.