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salary, or about anything else personal unless you are an intimate friend of his. Sometimes some words which are not wrong in themselves are quite unsuited for the occasion. When you visit a person you should not ask the value of anything you see in his room. If you see anything to be admired, you may ask his permission to look at it and may even ask him where such a nice thing was made. But never put such questions to those that are higher in rank or in official position. On being asked, give your opinion frankly in polite words on a subject you know. If you have to make any remarks, be modest in making them. If you know little or nothing of a subject, say so plainly, but never pretend to know it. You must be careful to speak with respect when you meet those that have authority over you. But even to them never use exaggerated expressions for the sake of compliment.
