The Art of Worldly Wisdom(132)

Revise your Judgments. To appeal to an inner court of revision makes things safe. Especially when the course of action is not clear, you gain time either to confirm or improve your decision. It affords new grounds for strengthening or corroborating your judgment. And if it is a matter of giving, the gift is the more valued from its being evidently well considered than for being promptly bestowed: long expected is highest prized. And if you have to deny, you gain time to decide how and when to mature the No so that it may be made palatable. Besides, after the first heat of desire is passed the repulse of refusal is felt less keenly in cold blood. But especially when people press for a reply, it is best to defer it, for as often as not that is only a feint to disarm attention.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />