"Defense D'afficher."
Don't be cocksure, when your real knowledge isn't worth a single crow.
I am moved to this remark by a little experience of mine in Geneva, Switzerland. A group of us were walking along the line of the old wall, and talking, as we walked, about the stirring history the ancient town had seen, and especially about the climax of it all, the "Long Night" celebrated by Stanley Weyman in his novel, when the foe nearly took the city by storm, but were repulsed with great bravery by the citizens.
We knew that the repulse was somewhere near where we were, and that it was marked by a memorial placed upon the wall.
"There it is!" suddenly said one of our party, pointing to a sign painted upon the stones. It read:
DEFENSE D'AFFICHER.
"Sure enough," exclaimed others, looking at the first speaker with sudden respect, and the awe which those ignorant of a foreign language have for those that are proficient in it. "Sure enough. Defense! Here is where they defended the city!" And they stepped reverently over the spot consecrated by the blood of heroes.
I did not undeceive them, though I had seen the real memorial—a very inspiring one—a little further along, and though I was aware that the sign (everywhere to be seen in French countries) means merely POST No BILLS.
It was simply a very laughable illustration of the folly of jumping at conclusions from the springboard of ignorance. One is certain to land upside down.
Don't do it!
Don't pretend to translate French if you don't know French.
Don't pretend to any knowledge that you don't possess.
Don't pretend at all.
And even—this will be safer still—let folks think you know a little less than you do know.
Then you may surprise them some day.