it‘s always an imprudence to ...

it‘s always an imprudence to step between a man and the reflection of his own cleverness(p.136) - P136

I resolved to interpose myself when the time was right, and to tell Odysseus that the girls had been acting under my direction.(p.137) - P137

Penelope:
And now, dear Nurse, the fat is in the fire -
He‘ll chop me up for tending my desire!
While he was pleasuring every nymph and beauty,
Did he think I‘d do nothing but my duty?
While every girl and goddess he was praising.
Did he assume I‘d dry up like a raisin?
(Ch.21. THE PERILS OF PENELOPE, A DRAMA, P.148) - P148