to
themselves sympathies and devotion of which the timid are entirely
ignorant.

We should add that poise, in giving one ease, imparts to the slightest
gesture a fittingness that constitutes a special grace, that one can not
always define, but where appearance can never be mistaken.

It might be termed distinction.

People of poise, whether they be homely or handsome, insignificant or
imposing, sickly or radiating health, all possess this enviable gift in
a marked degree.

Distinction is the parent of victory.

It conquers, for those who possess it, the greater part of their
adversaries, who lay down their arms without dreaming of offering
battle.

Distinction impresses every one, both those who are deprived of it and
those who are possest of it.

It is the most direct means of influencing others in the direction one
wishes them to take.

It is hardly necessary for us to restate here that there must be no
harmful influence in all this, no abuse of power.

Distinction is only efficacious and only possesses its proper force when
it is the outcome of the qualities we have been endeavoring to inculcate
in this book.

False distinction, that which is based upon effrontery, is like those
mirages of the desert whose appearance troubles the traveler.

At first he rejoices at seeing before him a countryside that seems like
his hoped-for goal, but as he presses forward the picture fades away
little by little and he perceives that he has been the victim of an
empty dream. This is invariably what happens when what appears to be
distinction is founded merely upon bravado and bluff.

The credulous, who are at first deceived by the illusion, very soon
arrive at the point where they perceive their error, and, with the
dissipation of the mirage, comes the contempt of the person who has thus
made them take him seriously. They do not find it an easy matter to
forgive him for having made dupes of them and their anger increases with
the hurt to their wounded pride.

Those people, on the other hand, who possess that distinction that comes
from the qualities inherent in poise, are sure of being able to preserve
it untarnished, because their influence will never be enfeebled by
disappointments they may cause in others.

If they are ever conquered for a moment, it is never because of weakness
or lack of character.

Their defeat can never in any case be considered as decisive. Their
energy will cause them to face the battle