Some people are so exceeding vain, and at the same time so dull of
apprehension, that they interpret every thing by which they are
distinguished from others in their own favour. If they betray any
weaknesses in conversation, which are apt to excite the laughter of
their company, they make no scruple of ascribing it to their superiority
in point of wit. If want of sense or breeding (one of which is always
the case) disposes them to give, or mistake, affronts, upon which
account all discreet sensible people are obliged to shun their company,
they impute it to their own valour and magnanimity, to which they fancy
the world pays an awful and respectful deference. There are several
decent ways of preventing such turbulent men from doing mischief, which
might be applied with secrecy, and many times pass unregarded, if their
own arrogance did not require the rest of mankind to take notice of it.