"-- a discreet Proteus, learned with the learned, saintly with the sainted. It is the great art to gain every one's suffrages; their goodwill gains general agreement. Notice men's moods and adapt yourself to each, genial or serious as the case may be. Follow their lead, glossing over the changes as cunningly as possible. This is an indispensable art for dependent persons. But this savoir faire calls for great cleverness. He only will find no difficulty who has a universal genius in his knowledge and universal ingenuity in his wit." - Balthasar Gracian's "The Art of Worldly Wisdom"
Not a Chameleon nor a Sycophant. Not a "Man of the People." A Comrade to every man. A Proteus. He intuits the calibers of men, senses their thoughts and anticipates their will, artfully assuming the disposition of each. He mingles round every hearth, moors in every sea, traverses worlds. When he chooses a friend, a home and a country, he will have his pickings.