It is not necessary then that he should have bowels for the poor, so he can secure for his family the odd trick.

无须为穷人排便，为家人谋取奇计。

A number of curious and authentic instances could be given of various shades of disposition and taste, and likewise of the oddest tricks, associated with certain frames of mind or periods of time.

可以举出许多好奇而真实的例子，说明与某些心态或时间段相关的各种性格和品味， 以及最古怪的把戏。