Media And Babbalanja Discourse Our visiting the Pontiff at a time previously unforeseen, somewhat altered our plans.

All search in Maramma for the lost one proving fruitless, and nothing of note remaining to be seen, we returned not to Uma; but proceeded with the tour of the lagoon.
When day came, reclining beneath the canopy, Babbalanja would fain have seriously discussed those things we had lately been seeing, which, for all the occasional levity he had recently evinced, seemed very near his heart.
But my lord Media forbade; saying that they necessarily included a topic which all gay, sensible Mardians, who desired to live and be merry, invariably banished from social discourse.
"Meditate as much as you will," Babbalanja, "but say little aloud, unless in a merry and mythical way.

Lay down the great maxims of things, but let inferences take care of themselves.

Never be special; never, a partisan.

In safety, afar off, you may batter down a fortress; but at your peril you essay to carry a single turret by escalade.