Aphorism #83 : Allow Yourself some venial Fault

"Some such carelessness is often the greatest recommendation of talent. For envy exercises ostracism, most envenomed when most polite. It counts it to perfection as a failing that it has no faults; for being perfect in all it condemns it in all. It becomes an Argus, all eyes for imperfection: 'tis its only consolation. Blame is like the lighting; it hits the highest. Let Homer nod now and then and affect some negligence in valour or in intellect - not in prudence - so as to disarm malevolence, or at least to prevent its bursting with its own venom. You thus leave your cloak on the horns of Envy in order to save your immortal parts." - Balthasar Gracian's "The Art of Worldly Wisdom"

A beauty mark, a venial weakness reminds that he yet is a man who is godlike in talent. Indeed, all the more is he esteemed for the flaw, since on it the eyes of Argus locks their gaze, most satisfied he is not a god among men. Thus the flaw spends criticism's ammunition before the accusation of imperfection can be launched against him. Where he cannot be accused, he cannot be spoken badly of: he shows most spectacular, his imperfection preserving and burnishing the glory of talent.