256. Crying

Crying is the natural expression of grief. When you are very sad it is perfectly right to cry.

When you are out and about in the world, however, crying can be seen as a weakness. This is then used by others as an excuse to take advantage of you.

There are people in the world who themselves have very low self-esteem and if they see you crying, will seize on it to make fun of you and make you feel even worse. They do this to make themselves feel better (at your expense). It should not make them feel better. It should make them feel ashamed because it is mean, spiteful and small-minded. It is extremely petty. They feel better because they are mean, bitter and twisted people.

People like this are not worth bothering about for they are cowards and bullies. They are best left to their own devices.

Never let your true feelings be known to all and sundry. Do not give your heart to the dogs in the street to play with nor to the pigs to trample.

Observe what happens when other boys cry. See who goes to comfort them and who laughs and makes fun of them. That will tell you who to keep as friends and who to leave behind. Beware of the ones who make fun of the weak as they seek to control others (and you if you're not careful.) In short, never let yourself be seen crying in public.