385.每日英文读诵

【每日英文读诵，未来更加出众】
385.每日英文读诵-
【How to win friends and influence people - 166】
That policeman, being human, wanted a feeling of importance; so
when I began to condemn myself, the only way he could nourish his
self-esteem was to take the magnanimous attitude of showing
mercy.
But suppose I had tried to defend myself - well, did you ever argue
with a policeman?
But instead of breaking lances with him, I admitted that he was
absolutely right and I was absolutely wrong; I admitted it quickly,
openly, and with enthusiasm. The affair terminated graciously in my
taking his side and his taking my side. Lord Chesterfield himself
could hardly have been more gracious than this mounted policeman,
who, only a week previously, had threatened to have the law on me.
If we know we are going to be rebuked anyhow, isn't it far better to
beat the other person to it and do it ourselves? Isn't it much easier
to listen to self-criticism than to bear condemnation from alien lips?
Say about yourself all the derogatory things you know the other
person is thinking or wants to say or intends to say - and say them
before that person has a chance to say them. The chances are a
hundred to one that a generous, forgiving attitude will be taken and
your mistakes will be minimized just as the mounted policeman did
with me and Rex.