It is a book both good and bad, and never stupid.

The same man who tells you that friendship is seldom unselfish, also declares that life would be a desert without friends, and that there is no magic like a good turn--that is, a kind act.

He teaches the importance of getting good will by honest means, although he advises us also to learn how to injure.

I am sure that nobody could read the book without benefit.
And I may close these quotations from it with the following paragraph, which is the very best bit of counsel that could be given to a literary student: Be slow and sure.

Quickly done can be quickly undone.