235．求人有术

求人有术。对某些人来说，没有什么比这更容易；而对另外一些人来说，没有什么比这更困难。有些人不会拒绝人，你求他们无须运用任何技巧；有些人却惯于在任何时候第一个就说“不”字，求这样的人，就需要高超的技巧，并要选择恰当的时机。当他们兴致高昂时，当用餐或娱乐让他们恢复精神时，只要他们的精明没有预料到你的狡猾，就可乘其不备地提出要求。快乐的日子就是施惠的日子，因为快乐可从人的内心蔓延到身外的世界。如果有人在你前面已被拒绝，那么你再求也无用，因为阻止说“不”的阻力刚被克服。在他人悲伤之时也不适合提出要求。如果被求之人不是卑劣之徒，预先施惠于他就是良策。

235．Know how to ask

Know how to ask. With some nothing easier; with others nothing so difficult. For there are men who cannot refuse: with them no skill is required. But with others their first word at all times is No; with them great art is required, and with all the propitious moment. Surprise them when in a pleasant mood, when a repast of body or soul has just left them refreshed, if only their shrewdness has not anticipated the cunning of the applicant. The days of joy are the days of favour, for joy overflows from the inner man into the outward creation. It is no use applying when another has been refused, since the objection to a No has just been overcome. Nor is it a good time after sorrow. To oblige a person beforehand is a sure way, unless he is mean.