XXXII.—REPROOF TO AN AFFECTED[259]SPEAKER.LA BRUYERE.
LA BRUYERE.
1. What do you say?What?Ireallydo not understand you. Be so good as to explain yourself again. Upon my word, I do not. O,nowI know! you mean to tell me it is a cold day. Why did you not say at once: “It is cold to-day.” If you wish to inform me it rains or snows, pray say: “It rains,” “it snows;” or, if you think I look well, and you choose to compliment[260]me, say, “I think you look well.”
2. “But,” you answer, “that is so common, and so plain, and what every body can say.” Well, and what if they can? Is it so great a misfortune to be understood when one speaks, and to speak like the rest of the world? I will tell you what, my friend; you and your fine-spoken brethren wantonething—you do not suspect[261]it, and I shall astonish[262]you—you wantcommon sense.
3. Nay, this is not all; you have somethingtoomuch; you possess an opinion that you havemoresense than others. That is the source of all your pompous[263]nothings, your cloudy sentences, and your big words without a meaning. Before you accost[264]a person, or enter a room, let me pull you by your sleeve, and whisper in your ear: “Do not try to show off your sense; have none at all; that is your part. Use plain language, if you can; just such as you find others use, who, in your idea, have no understanding; and then, perhaps, you will get credit for having some.”
[259]Af-fectˊ-ed, not natural.[260]Comˊ-pli-ment, praise, flatter.[261]Sus-pectˊ, mistrust.[262]As-tonˊ-ish, to amaze.[263]Pompˊ-ous, ostentatious.[264]Ac-costˊ, speak to; address.
[259]Af-fectˊ-ed, not natural.
[259]Af-fectˊ-ed, not natural.
[260]Comˊ-pli-ment, praise, flatter.
[260]Comˊ-pli-ment, praise, flatter.
[261]Sus-pectˊ, mistrust.
[261]Sus-pectˊ, mistrust.
[262]As-tonˊ-ish, to amaze.
[262]As-tonˊ-ish, to amaze.
[263]Pompˊ-ous, ostentatious.
[263]Pompˊ-ous, ostentatious.
[264]Ac-costˊ, speak to; address.
[264]Ac-costˊ, speak to; address.