excitable an abrupt natures generally do not afford any clue as to their true character (they are prompted by circumstances, and, as it were, imitating the spirit of the circumstances); but since they have actually been uttered and done, the subsequent truly characteristic words and actions have frequently to be wasted in balancing, reconciling, and blotting them from memory.
291
Presumption.—Presumption is an artificial and simulated pride; yet it is peculiar to pride to be incapable of and averse to any simulation, disguise and hypocrisy, hence presumption is the simulation incapacity of simulation, a very difficult thing, and in most cases a failure. But suppose that, as usually happens, it betrayed itself, then a treble annoyance awaits the presumptuous person: are angry with him because he is bent upon deceiving us, and again, because he wished to show himself superior to us—and, last not least, we even laugh at him because he failed in either of these endeavours. How earnestly ought we therefore to enjoin upon our fellow-men to beware of presumptuousness!
292
A kind of misconception.—When we hear somebody speak, the enunciation of a single consonant (an r, for instance) very often suffices to fill is with misgivings as to the honesty of his feelings: we are not familiar
