Imitate the polypus. Change your plan of living according to circumstances, accomodate yourself to the dispositions of the persons with whom you are to live, or to form any intimate connection. "Become all things to all men." Brutus, that he might escape the malignancy of Tarquin, who had destroyed his father, and his brother, assumed the character of idiotcy, whence he obtained his name. His stratagem succeeded, no mischief being to be apprehended, as Tarquin supposed, from so degraded a being. He was therefore suffered to live, and in time became principally instrumental in freeing his country from the tyranny of the Tarquins, and in laying the foundation of a popular form of government, which continued upwards of 700 years. The proverb took its rise from a supposed power of the polypus of assuming the colour of any substance to which it adheres. When pursued it clings to the rocks, and taking the same colour, often escapes unnoticed.