It may be witty, I am sure it is not wise.

It may be sometimes necessary to offend for a definite object, it can never be diplomatic to offend gratuitously.
Becker was more explicit, although scarce less curt.

And his defence may be divided into two statements: first, that the _taumualua_ was proceeding to land with a hostile purpose on Mulinuu; second, that the shots complained of were fired by the Samoans.

The second may be dismissed with a laugh.

Human nature has laws.