Never act surprised in a courtroom.

He understood the code of his social class enough to affect an air of indifference about life.

What we saw in Richard Nixon's face was the panic in his soul. – Richard Goodwin

Nastiness devalues the speaker as well because the unwillingness to restrain the urge marks the speaker as less civilized, more animal-like.

She had been carried away by the need to defend herself.

Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.