Hartman's rule about breaking writing rules (possibly stolen from someone else): If you're going to break the rules, do so confidently and stylishly.
Of course, this rule, too, may be broken.
Application of this rule to the rest of life is left as an exercise to the reader.
‘Ah,’ said Nanny. She took the girl’s arm. ‘The thing is,’ she explained, ‘as you progress in the Craft, you’ll learn there is another rule. Esme’s obeyed it all her life.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘When you break rules, break ‘em good and hard,’ said Nanny, and grinned a set of gums that were more menacing than teeth.
——Terry Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters
thanks for the post — was looking for the wording of this and other people who quoted this left out the gums 😉