I was attending a party one night given in Sir Ross's honor. During the dinner, the man sitting next to me told a humorous story and spoke of the quotation:“There's a divinity（神）that shapes our ends, /Rough-hew them how we will. ”

The storyteller mentioned that the quotation was from the Bible. He was wrong. I knew that； I knew it positively. There couldn't be the slightest doubt about it. And so, to get a feeling of importance and show my high quality, I chose myself as an unwelcome person to correct him. He stuck to his guns. “What? From Shakespeare? Impossible! Absurd ! That quotation was from the Bible. ”

The storyteller was sitting at my right hand, and Frank Gammond, an old friend of mine, was seated at my left hand. Mr. Gammond had devoted years to the study of Shakespeare, so the storyteller and I agreed to leave the question to Mr. Gammond. Mr. Gammond listened, kicked me under the table, and then said ,“Dale, you are wrong. The gentleman is right. It is from the Bible. ”

On our way home that night, I said to Mr. Gammond,“Frank, you knew that quotation was from Shakespeare. ”

“Yes, of course,”he replied. “Hamlet, Act V, Scene 2. But we were guests on a festive occasion, my dear Dale. Why prove to a man he is wrong? Is that going to make him like you? Why not let him save his face? He didn't ask for your opinion. He didn't want it. Why argue with him?”The man who said that taught me a lesson I would never forget. I not only had made the storyteller uncomfortable, but had put my friend in an embarrassing situation. How much better it would have been if I hadn't become argumentative.

Nine times out of ten, an argument ends with each of the contestants（竞争者）more firmly convinced than ever that he is absolutely right. You can't win an argument. You can't because if you lose it, you lose it； and if you win it, you lose it.

When you step into a new environment, you might have some difficulty in fitting in. Here are some tips 【小题1】 might help you.

Be confident. You are unique in this world. Spend some time thinking about your 【小题2】（strengthen） and you will be able to build up confidence step by step.

Be kind to everyone. Kindness is the bridge to your own happiness. Always give more than you receive, and think more of others than of 【小题3】（you）. A person who cares for others is popular everywhere.

Be active in group  activities. 【小题4】（vary）activities like playing football can help you to be known 【小题5】 others. You may add more friends to your circle. At the same time, you'll be  amazed 【小题6】（see） how much they like you.

Be optimistic. Optimism 【小题7】（make） both you and others feel pleased. It helps you make 【小题8】 good first impression. A pleasant smile costs the 【小题9】（little） but does the most. If you follow the suggestions 【小题10】（mention）above, you will be accepted by people around you. And you will fit in very well and enjoy your new life.

Thank you for your invitation to dinner at your home tomorrow evening. Unfortunately, it is much to my regret which I cannot join in you and your family. I will be full occupied with an important exam come the day after tomorrow. I feel terribly sorry for missing the chance of so a happy get-together. I hope that all of you enjoying a good time. Is it possible for you and I to have a private meeting afterward? If so, please don't hesitate to tell me your preferable dates. I am eager for the pleasant chat with you.

Please allow me say sorry again.

How to Know Yourself Better

Most of us believe that we know ourselves better than anyone in this world. But a lot of people are still strangers to themselves. Why? 【小题1】 For a person, to have a well-lived life, it is important that he know himself well. If you are one of those who are striving to know yourself better, these steps will guide you.

·Take a moment to write down things that you know“very well”about yourself - your interests,likes, dislikes, hobbies, strengths, weaknesses,hopes, fears, dreams, etc. 【小题2】 By creating a list of your personal qualities that you are familiar with, you are keeping yourself in touch with yourself.

·Take personality and psychological tests. This is another way to know yourself better. The Internet has a rich source of free online personality and psychological assessments and tests. 【小题3】

·Know yourself better by understanding people's opinions of you. 【小题4】 Sometimes, you think you know yourself enough, but other people who see you from their point of view can offer you some insights into how you act and get understood by others. Be careful,however, to balance both opinions to come up with an objective view of yourself.

【小题5】 It's a lifetime process. Every day you will be given new insights about yourself. Writing a diary will help you keep track of these new discoveries. Maintaining that hunger to know yourself better will make you more self-aware, opening up  new opportunities to enrich your life.