"My opinion is this: if a fool give you honey, spit upon it; if a wise man give you poison, drink it! And I will tell you that the perch has a weak soul since his fins do not stand on end." The old man's mocking words offended and angered Foma.

He turned aside and said: "You can never speak without these subterfuges." "I cannot!" exclaimed Mayakin, and his eyes began to sparkle with alarm.
"Each man uses the very same tongue he has.

Do I seem to be stern?
Do I ?" Foma was silent.
"Eh, you.

Know this--he loves who teaches.

Remember this well.