Chapter 46

vous tousiours des Gents-de-bien, si vous n'en trouuez pas la commodité, ou par ce que vous n'en connoissez point, ou pour quelqu'autre raison, il vaut tousiours mieux que vous alliez seul, qu'en mauuaise compagnie.

If you wish to pass as genteel, always go with well-bred people; if you cannot get the chance,--from not knowing any, or any other reason,--it is always better to go alone than in bad company.

57th. In walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Company if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, it he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Jowl but Somewhat behind him; but yet in such a Manner that he may easily Speak to you.

[Sidenote: The repetition of the feminine "Elle" refers to 'vne personne,' in the first line, although the masculine ('qu'il' and 's'il') has twice followed it. There is no allusion to the female sex in the French Maxims.]