That was a fool among those men, and a dangerous fool; for in such a state of society mistakes in act or in speech might reach to terrible consequences.

See these little observations about fools: Open-handed, bold-hearted men live most happily, they never feel care; but a fool troubles himself about everything.

The niggard pines for gifts.
A fool is awake all night, worrying about everything; when the morning comes he is worn out, and all his troubles are just the same as before.
A fool thinks that all who smile upon him are his friends, not knowing, when he is with wise men, who there may be plotting against him.
If a fool gets a drink, all his mind is immediately displayed.
But it was not considered right for a man not to drink, although drink was a dangerous thing.

On the contrary, not to drink would have been thought a mark of cowardice and of incapacity for self-control.

A man was expected even to get drunk if necessary, and to keep his tongue and his temper no matter how much he drank.