Honestly, Sor Marzio, do you not think so yourself ?" Marzio looked at his apprentice and frowned, as though hesitating whether to lose his temper and launch into the invective style, or to answer Gianbattista reasonably.

Apparently he decided in favour of the more peaceable course.
"It is unworthy of a man who follows reason to lose his self-control and indulge in vain threats," he answered, assuming a grand didactic air.
"You attempt to argue with me.

I will show you what argument really means, and whither it leads.

Now answer me some questions, Tista, and I will prove that you are altogether in the wrong.

When a man is devoted to a great and glorious cause, should he not do everything in his power to promote its success against those who oppose it ?" "Undoubtedly," assented Gianbattista.
"And should not a man be willing to sacrifice his individual preferences in order to support and to further the great end of his life ?" "Bacchus! I believe it!" "Then how much the more easy must it be for a man to support his cause when there are no individual preferences in the way!" said Marzio triumphantly.