Quote#Time
If you want to gain any man's good opinion, take particular care how…
Quote byJames Burgh · 1714–1775
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Dignity of Human Nature (1754).
English (original)
If you want to gain any man's good opinion, take particular care how you behave the first time you are in company with him; the light you appear in at first, to one who is neither inclinable to think well nor ill of you, will strongly prejudice him either for or against you.
— James Burgh
More from James Burgh
Praise your friends, and let your friends praise you.
Insult not another for his want of a talent you possess: He may have others which you want.
Do not endeavour to shine in all companies. Leave room for your hearers to imagine something within you beyond all you have said. And remember, the more you are praised, the more you will be envied.
He who knows the world will not be too bashful. He who knows himself will not be impudent.
If you mean to make your side of the argument appear plausible, do not prejudice the people against what you think truth by your passionate manner of defending it.
If you give a jest, take one. Let all your jokes be truly jokes. Jesting sometimes ends in sad earnest.