As the bear is a heavy, clumsy creature, and does not gallop as the wolf does, who is swift and light, so he has two particular qualities, which generally are the rule of his actions; first, as to men, who are not his proper prey (he does not usually attempt them, except they first attack him, unless he be excessively hungry, which it is probable might now be the case, the ground being covered with snow), if you do not meddle with him, he will not meddle with you; but then you must take care to be very civil to him, and give him the road, for he is a very nice gentleman; he will not go a step out of his way for a prince; nay, if you are really afraid, your best way is to look another way and keep going on; for sometimes if you stop, and stand still, and look steadfastly at him, he takes it for an affront; but if you throw or toss anything at him, though it were but a bit of stick as big as your finger, he thinks himself abused, and sets all other business aside to pursue his revenge, and will have satisfaction in point of honour—that is his first quality: the next is, if he be once affronted, he will never leave you, night or day, till he has his revenge, but follows at a good round rate till he overtakes you.
Primieramente quanto agli uomini (che non sono la consueta naturale sua preda, se non lo stimola un’eccessiva fame, ciò che poteva, per vero dire, essere il caso or che la terra era coperta affatto di neve), quanto agli uomini, dissi, egli non suole assalirli se non sono essi i primi; onde se non cercate briga con lui, egli non ne cerca con voi. Ma bisogna essere molto civile verso di esso e cedergli la mano diritta, perchè è un gentiluomo puntiglioso all’estremo, nè vuole rimoversi d’un passo dal suo cammino, nemmen per un principe; anzi se ne avete veramente paura, la più sana per voi, se lo incontrate, e di voltare strada e prendere un’altra direzione, perchè se vi fermate, e s’accorge che gli fissiate gli occhi addosso, piglia questo per un affronto.