《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第6则
A Man at his Highest Point. We are not born perfect: every day we develop in our personality and in our calling till we reach the highest point of our completed being, to the full round of our accomplishments, of our excellences. This is known by the purity of our taste, the clearness of our thought, the maturity of our judgment, and the firmness of our will. Some never arrive at being complete; somewhat is always awanting: others ripen late. The complete man, wise in speech, prudent in act, is admitted to the familiar intimacy of discreet persons, is even sought for by them.
注释摘要
葛拉西安在这一则里构建了一个动态的自我完成观念。标题与正文连起来是说：人并非生而完美，而是在人格与职分中日渐发展，直至抵达自身能力的顶点，圆成一切才能与卓越。这里的“highest point”不是指外在地位的高峰，而是内在形成的完成态。他把这个完成态的标记归结为四项：趣味的纯正、思想的清明、判断的成熟、意志的坚定。这四项在十七世纪耶稣会的人文修养体系中几…