The Cool Man

1895

The superiority of those men who keep their tempers in public bodies is so apparent that coolness should be one of the first virtues to be cultivated there. The discreet member will regard public life of this kind as a school for such a purpose.

There are trials for nervous or impulsive men often in these positions, but a part of their tactics must be to resist them if they are to have hope of success. Nothing can be clearer than that it is for their interest to do so. The debater who keeps cool is sure to have his opponent at a disadvantage.

The cool man is usually a master of sarcasm, which is an effective weapon in annoying an adversary, but a dangerous one also, because there is always the temptation to carry it too far. The men who have the widest influence are the good natured men, whose words leave no sting behind them. — Boston Herald.