Special Gifts, Devices, and Techniques : Page 128

Oh, that one learned that trick early in life! One fall, I wore a handed-down suit in school. Its descent was noticeable. One fellow, not really evil at heart, for he is a priest today, caused me an unbelievable amount of shame and suffering by frequently saying, "What material, eh. Will never wear out. Grandfather wore it, father wore it, and it is still as good as new." It crushed me every time. It hurt me so much that I could never manage a "comeback." Yet had I just once said to him: "You are right, Joe. It is, of course, handed down — and I suppose looks a bit peculiar. But we are a large family, and I don't like to hint to my parents that I mind," I am sure such an answer would have checked his teasing, not only on that point, but on similar ones. I am deeply convinced that the best approach to painful teasing is to make a clean breast of the true, even if unjust, part of it, very humbly — and not resentfully. A man who learns to admit a charge, instead of fighting it, has a great technique for self-protection — and for developing friends who will rise to defend him.