NOTE: 52

[...to catch] another’s breath. 14. Let thy speech be neither exceedingly ponderous, nor babbling; and take heed that thy spittle bespattereth not the listener; and nudge not the listener with thy hand, saying, “Didst thou hear?”, “Didst thou understand?”; and moderate thy voice, and shout not. 15. If it be needful to speak with an ecclesiastical or secular dignitary—as, for example, with a Patriarch [Patriark‘], or a prelate [aṙajnord], or a chief prince [azgapet ishkhan], and with other such foremost men of authority—thou must take heed in every manner. Let thy sitting and thy standing, and all thy speech and demeanor be in humility and modesty; and by no means shall any sign of forwardness or insolence appear upon thee. For if thou knowest not thy measure, and dost display obstinacy, or stubbornness, and impudence, then shalt thou justly suffer contempt and punishment, and become detestable.